The Secrets Behind Casting the 'House of the Dragon' Actors | Vanity Fair
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- House of the Dragon casting director Kate Rhodes James takes us through her casting process while sharing her foresights for each characters' future on the show. From Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenerya and Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Kate breaks down the intricacies of creating the show's vision through her stellar casting.
Thumbnail: Daemon Photo by Liam Daniel/HBO
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Aemond is the most Targaryen person I’ve ever seen. Its giving that gracious, yet eerie Balenciaga and Slytherin
Aemond and Daemon to me are quintessential Targaryen princes to me and everything I had ever wished for. Especially since all we had to go off of before was Viserys (Daenerys brother) and he was a weiner lol
And fascinating too because Ewan seems like a very sweet, soft spoken guy who is very Hufflepuff coded 😂
He gives Malfoy vibe 🔥
He looks like a mix of snakes, dragons, humans, and devils.. lol
@@S4IKICK Omg yes!
Casting Tom Glynn Carney as Aegon II was brilliant. He has a way of conveying Aegon’s insecurities through his eyes like no one else could. Even if Aegon is laughing you can always see the fear and insecurity in his eyes.
Tom Glynn Carney did such a phenomenal job as Aegon. I’m glad he didn’t go the Joffrey Baratheon villain route (lots of rumors said he would be a new Joffrey). He gave us a performance filled with so much humanity, humor and vulnerability that it’s hard to truly hate Aegon, even if you’re on Rhaenyra’s side.
He’s been the standout for me in the second season, brilliant actor!
@@Sarapapa666u said it perfectly
i could have easily watched an hour long video of this lady talking about her process. fascinating!
same!
No one could have played Aemond better than Ewan. The way he had everyone in chokehold during the first season with such less screen time as if he were one of the main characters is powerful.
Casting Ewan Mitchell as Aemond was the best decision you guys made ❤️👏🏻
@@JazzMJFAN goosebumps
Ser Simon too 🥰
@@JazzMJFAN if only the showrunners recognized this and stopped sidelining him, he didn't even talked in episode 7 and just barely has any dialogue and screentime overall.
Absolutely!!...
The entire cast is phenomenal but i will FOREVER praise the casting of Alicent and Aegon bc i don’t think it was intentional but Olivia and Tom look EXTREMELY similar like it literally looks like Aegon stole his mom’s entire face
I love their performances the most alongside daemon and both rhaenyra’s. older and Alicent and all the aegon’s are just amazing.
The behind the scenes photos of Tom, Olivia, and Phia Saban highlight Helaena's resemblance as well! It's brilliant casting.
It makes it more eerie that Aegon looks like Alicent but Alicent is absolutely ashamed of Aegon because he’s horrible and shocking.
It's crazy how Tom and Phia Saban who plays Haelaena look like they could be twins. As a matter of fact, I used to think that they were twins in the show until I found out they weren't. Thankfully.
Young Rhaenyra and older Rhaenyra look like the same people too. Insane
Ewan Mitchell as Aemond is the most perfect casting I’ve ever seen, he’s so talented and PERFECT for that role 👏👏👏
The casting of Milly Alcock and Emma D´Arcy and Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke was absolutely brilliant
yeah I remember thinking how are they going to top the young versions cause they were so amazing and then Emma and Olivia came on screen and they are arguably even better.
I can’t help but see the younger actresses in the adult versions of them … does that make sense?
Such perfect casting that I see the older as the natural progression of the younger
Nah I disagree , still think they could do better for Rhaenyra
@@Savage-nv6wrEmma D'Arcy's amazing, imho...
@@theSpiritofTamzinnah, she has got that boring face. She can't get into that role of a mother. Seems very fake and forced, although 90% of the time she have one facial expression, that stare with a smirk. The least exciting actress and her role is supposed to be one of the most excited. The show is slowly dying because of her
The Green siblings trio casting are the best ❤ Ewan, Phia, Tom.
Paddy was the glue that held the show together in season one. I would have liked to hear about his casting.
He was the only reason to watch.
Yep Paddy was stellar casting. He was absolutely brilliant in this role
Me too!!
So this is the woman I have to thank for casting Ewan as Aemond. 🙌 Impeccable choice
this was such cool view into the thought process behind casting… she is so insightful, loved to hear speak on each character and performance!
@@languorfellaway agreed!!
Ewan is like a searing, blinding, burning sun of an actor. I cannot think of anyone else who could play the most stylish, elegant, beastly, sly and cunning cyclops that ever graced a screen.
I get why she wanted Tom Glynn-Carney. I didn't know him before hotd but he really stood out to me. he really is an incredible actor. his performance has been extremely captivating!
He was great in Domina as well. He really was fantastic this season, the bright spot in a bad season.
I’ve known him since early 2018 and I screamed when I found out that he was casted in hotd. I had a huge crush on him in 2019 haha
He has a small part in Nolan’s Dunkirk but he really made the most of his short screen time there. Incredible actor
He brings the rage and chaotic idiocy to Aegon, but also knows how to play those insecure soft moments that almost makes you feel sorry for him.
The realm's delight
Indeed. Having the adults versions of Rhaenyra and Alicent have such chemistry is such luck! The few moments they've been together have been amazing
Emma was a mistake. She doesn't have chemistry with Matt.
I love how Emma's getting more attetion for their performance this season. As much as I love Milly's potrayal of Rhaenyra a lot, respectfully I think they both did a wonderful job at potraying the character in different times in their lives. Emma D'Arcy is so underrated for their talents
Their*
@@nataliec4072 tysm I just fixed it
@@nataliec4072but she's not multiple people mental health Day person
@@saltynutzz "They" is often used to refer to a singular person when gender is unspecified. Example: "They forgot their keys on the table, so they're going back to get it", based on the context of this sentence "they" is obviously referring to one person. I don't care about you two's culture war I'm just speaking grammatically
@@niko-ef8hq clearly you never had been to an English class and been taught grammar.
the casting director did a better job at understanding the characters than the showrunner
I wish they gave more screen time to ewan. I got invested in the show because of his character Aemond and how captivating his performance is. Brilliant casting nevertheless 👏👏👏
YES! it annoys me so much that he's literally had like 15 minuets screen time in the whole season
@@nadialittle5821 Hopefully we'll be able to see more of him in s3 ☹️
I just NEED TO see Ewan’s audition tape.
Give them all Emmy's. Just do it.
Honestly like PLEASE
Millys audition being chaotic is so on brand
release the 45 minute cut of this please
Casting Aemond was the perfect thing they've ever done, Ewan performance is just fascinating 🎉
casting Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra was a stroke of genius. the last time i was so blown away by an unexpected casting was Heath Ledger as the Joker, and look where that went.
Tom has been the standout for me this season. I would love for them to give Aemond more screen time though so we can get to know his character on a deeper level….also I like to look at him
4:03 this is weirdly inspiring. The idea that despite all these contracts and controlling studios, creative decisions that may cost tens of millions are still being made on gut instinct
They called it gut instinct but it really is experience. They won’t throw money just because.
The casting for this show has been incredible all around. Paddy Considine stands out as someone I'd only ever thought of as a comedy actor. I never thought he'd give one of the best emotional performances I've seen
Tbh, I'm really interested how does one become a casting director, like what route do you have to take to get to be one, to be able to choose and literally give an actor a carrier and legacy if you hit the jackpot
You can intern at a casting office, you just kind of have to go for it
You'll have to do a lot of script analysis as a casting director, so it helps to build a solid foundation on skills like writing and acting. Degrees in theatre, creative writing, communication arts etc. could help.
I always thought that storyboard artists, costume designers, concept artists and prop departments dont get enpugh credit and now im going to add casting directors to that list. All of these are immensely important for a show to succeed.
No notes on casting Phia as Helaena?? I would've loved to hear that!
She auditioned for young rhaenyra and they told her she might be more suited for another role and had her read for helaena
Same here I wished she’d been mentioned
i love Tom Glynn Carney's portrayal of Aegon
Me too. Never in a million years did I expect to feel for Aegon and I fully suspect it's all because of Tom's performance. He's become one of my favorites in season 2
Emma was *more* than amazing in this season! She was *so so beautiful* in the second season, she has such a natural beauty❤
Emma has they/them pronouns.
Milly was amazing as rhanyra. She’s so beautiful and charismatic, and I wish we had more of her on the show!
Ewan is so fascinating incredible powerful iconic and talented af ❤❤ sadly under used in this show
Yeah but if you know where the show is going ...
House of the dragon this season for me has been a very shaky and at times quite underwhelming season however the actors here are nothing short of phenomenal ALWAYS. They are all so talented
Completely agree
Just curiosity here- very shaky compared to what? ☺
@@seraphim9333compared to season one. The writing is a lot worse, which is shocking given season one’s many time jumps.
Season 2 slaps. What makes it so bad?? 😅
@@edd4131it’s terrible
The way Emma brought Rhaneyra to life is AMAZING
@@blindspotj 💯
@@blindspotj they’re a force
Nah Milly
@@Em35nyc they’re both amazing. No need to bring one down to put the other up
They’re a force to be reckoned with. I adore whatever they do on screen. Truly profound.
The guy who plays larys… perfect casting.
Great to see some love for Matthew Needham as well. He's fantastic in this show. You can tell he really, profoundly understands his character.
Him being a people watcher IRL is so *chefs kiss* as he plays the Master of Whispers
I love the show but the biggest flaw is how Alicent and Rhaenira don't look like they are mothers to their children
they should use makeup to appear older
when Alicent confronts Aemond, it has no weight because they look like brothers, not mother and son
The heart of the show is the casting of Paddy and Matt as brothers. His absolute devotion and love for his older brother wouldn’t have come through if you couldn’t tell how much Matt adores Paddy.
The casting of this show was BRILLIANT. I couldn’t rave enough about it.
I see Ewan Mitchell I click. No doubt one of the best actors in the show. Aemond is quite literally the only reason I'm still watching HOTD. 😅
Ewan Mitchell might be the best Targaryen casting ever !
I agree about Ewan.
So interesting that Olivia Cooke also auditioned for Rhaenyra!
More casting director series like this please!!! So fascinating to watch
Tom said in an interview that he was asked to audition for a role (but he had no clue what show it was) and he sent a tape of his audition and they called him the very next day. It's not really surprising/shocking that the showrunners picked him immediately. He's such an amazing and brilliant actor. For me, he's really the standout this season. I was a former team black but I switched team because I love his performance so much. The way he elevated the script thru his performance, even GRRM praised him for making Aegon more complex.
He really made me love Aegon this season, now he's my most favorite character in the show. 💚
Ewan Mitchell Emmy
Aemond and deamon are examples of perfect casting. Otto Hightower, larys and alicent (emma) are also fantastic. Tom has proven himself in the second season. I don't think the entirety of the casting is as phenomenonal as the GOT casting was (which I agree elevated the show itself along with the music director) but its still exceptional.
Nina Gold is a name I associate with GoT and, for me at least, synonymous with perfect casting. Kate is living up to that expectations so far, a hard task given GoT must surely had exhausted the British actors pool (the rest going to ‘Stenders and Corrie combined)!
There is something so special about Emma Darcy. I don't know what it is but every face they make everything they do is interesting.
The actor who's impressed me the most in their portrayal is easily Matt Smith as Daemon. I had doubts when I heard his casting announcement but he's shown to have the range and charisma to bring Daemon to life. Ewan obviously has the most striking, iconic look as Aemond, although I wish that he's been given more lines and more things to do in these first couple of seasons.
The young and older version of both Alicent and Rhaenyra.....are impeccable ❤❤
And Ewan and Matt as Aemond and Daemon....🤌🤌🤌👌✌️🤞🫰🤟🤘
I would love love love to see her do another video like this about her casting process while working on AMCs Interview With The Vampire, because she's done such an incredible job of casting both television shows
casting ewan and tom as brothers was perfect.
I’m a huge fan of Prince Daemon and Matt Smith , but it’s a shame all the comment section not giving credits to Leo ,the young actor playing Aemond. He was spectacular 🗣️
Aemonds casting was and is genius . He inhabits the character so well
I agree - all the actors are amazing! So much talent!
As always Ewan Mitchell on the cover for every UA-cam
I see Ewan, I click 😅
@@anyak1446 💯
He's the ultimate bait 🤣🤣🤣
They know exactly what their doing and i love them for that)
click bait! lol
Ewan steals the show every time he's on screen even without speaking. it's a shame that he has so little screen time even though Aemond is the most interesting character and the one who is carrying the whole season on his back with just few scenes. they destroyed the whole dynamic of team black vs team green, now is everyone vs aemond. at least give him more screen time, he deserves it
I mean, let's be honest: Aemond (and Vhaegar) is all Team Green has for itself, the only one with knowledge and a sense of direction when it comes to military strategies. Without him, team Green is a joke.
@@aryad2334 l thought you read my whole mind
Casting Emma D'Arcy was the best thing happened in the HotD series ❤ They bring so much depth to every scene they're in 🔥 it's very intriguing and moving 🐉 Milly really laid the path being ultimate Young Rhaenyra 👸🏻
She is such an friendly person and she did a phenomenal job with casting all of them
Ive always thought the casting in HotD was top notch and I'm so happy to watch this video behind the process. She is a genius
The fact they must've spent a lot of time and resources to find them and then literally 'pray' and 'hope' just shows you just can't buy the chemistry and the goosebumps.
Having read Fire & Blood seeing the casting announcements for this show was insane, every single one was just perfect.
She did such a incredible job with this cast
Another fun fact is that Tom and Olivia look very similar
They have the same face shape
The casting of Aemond and Aegon's child actors threw people off when they switch with the adult actors
That's weird. Why would aegon be shorter than aemond when they're kids. It's normal once they've gone thru puberty that a younger siblings ne taller than their older siblings. But when they're kids, they're shorter.
We owe her so much
i need a part 2 of this, i want to know about fabien, phia, eve, paddy, pleaseeeee
Amazing choices, this entire cast is so wonderful to watch and off camera seeing them interact is very nice to see too
This perspecive is so appreciated!! I reckon HotD will go down as one of the best examples of casting in history.
The wigs for Aemond, Daemon, and young Rhanyra are magnificent. I would like a video on the wig makers!
A conversation with this woman would be extraordinary 🤌
Her enthusiasm is wildly contagious, what a wonderful perspective and voice
The cast of HOTD is brilliant. The well known ones, as well as the ones that are getting started. GoT was the same way. Some audition for a part and end up getting a different part sometimes, and it’s amazing how it shakes out better than originally considered.
Who clicked for Ewan Mitchell raise your hands!
Kinda strange to hear the things about them choosing Emma immediately and etc. when Emma said in an interview that they had spent 5 hours auditioning and the people on the show found it a problem that they weren't popular enough...
What's strange? A 5 hour audition is something the production would only do with an actor they are 99% sure about.
It’s not just the show runners that have to approve the casting. The whole chain of command at hbo had to say yes to the casting too
Google “actors testing for the network”
You have show runners that spend years creating worlds and writing characters (adapted or otherwise), who will see hundreds of actors for every role. They know the characters intimately and are looking for actors who have similar instincts and energy to their characters.
Then you have network executives who are overseeing the production of 20+ shows at the same time. They probably read the pilot script 5 months ago, and now they have one or two final choices in front of them. They are thinking about publicity roll out, talk show appearances, magazine interviews, Instagram followers, award show clout, tabloid dating drama; stuff that creates buzz about your show and increases its profile.
This is the push pull of creatives V suits, of art V commerce.
Wasn't it over the course of 3 months or something like that? (I mean the whole process)
The casting director in this video probably had made her ultimate decision on choosing Emma but had to wait for the other casting directors, producers and tv networks to approve it.
I remember I was surprised that Matt was involved in the show, when I first heard about it. I have been a big Matt Smith-fan for years, but I didn't know how it would be like to seeing Matt playing a Targaryen. However turns out, he is PERFECT as Daemon :D But I also think everybody else is perfect in their roles. It's a stunning cast for a stunning show :D
Kate, you guys did a fantastic job with the HOTD casting!
Loved this video sooooo much!!! Truly amazing casting, Love this cast!
Though the actresses that played Haelena wad not mentioned here, I'd like to express my kudos to them as well ❤ The casting director has done an excellent job with all actors :)
Ewan's a brilliant actor, started the show rooting for rhaeneras claim and then ended up supporting aemond the moment he came on screen😅.
Likewise here! Team Black turned green. Ewan performance was magnificent and you can just feel how much he gives himself to Aemond role super talent actor. I'm so grateful for him and casting team.
Relatable - I'm team black but team aemond
Deamon is really an extraordinary character and no one could beat the performance of Matt Smith. He stole the show!! I loved it. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Also, Ema Darcy, OMG how wrong I was about her when they switched with the young ones. 😱😱😱 She is also amazing as well as Alicent, very talented actresses! 😊
Phenomenal choices all around. Have to say, Matt Smith is my favorite. He’s an impeccable Daemon & won me over despite Daemons not so agreeable lifestyle choices 😅👏🥂
So interesting to know the perspective of the casting director. There's so much going on through the process of series/movie production we have no clue. I wish I could see more of this.
Who clicked for Ewan Mitchell raise your hands!
Real life Targaryen
🙋♂️
They should have gave Ewan more screentime instead of just using his popularity to promote the show.
Exactly! He's paying the bills!
This has to be one of the most interesting interviews I needed but didn’t know I did
Everyone praises Ewan, he had lots of promotion and you'd think he has a really big role in the show and yet... He is barely on screen. Literally 1-2 minutes each episode with almost no dialogue or development. It's so strange, I don't understand this. Why would you waste such an interesting character with cool character design and his talented actor? Can someone please ask Ryan Condal?
They’re obsessed with the rhaenicent dynamic. It needs to stop. Characters like aegon aemond helaena jace baela rhaena should have way more screen time. It should be an ensemble cast like GOT was but they are obsessed with rhaenyra alicent, and daemon, although his season two storyline is also boring. Basically the writing is bad and that’s why certain characters aren’t getting the focus they should be getting.
@Em35nyc this is so ridiculous. I wish the showrunners and HBO would get more backlash on this so they'd actually change something. They don't let their younger cast shine and only focus on the older generation characters who don't even do anything most of the time and the second season dragged so much. It's just so boring and annoying that I stopped watching.
He is on screen when he is needed, that is more than enough. Remember darth vader on star wars and many others that didn't need more than a few minutes to Impress.
@@rhysioeren3203mind you he has less screentime than almost everyone in the main cast, we never get Aemond's pov, his thoughts, he is pretty one dimensional this season. Was Alicent "needed" all the time she was on screen? She had so many filler scenes, it's crazy.
Someone explain to me why they gave Ewan Mitchell's Aemond so little time, being one of the most talented actors in that cast.
Ryan Condal probably doesn't want him to overshadow his favorite characters because Aemond became very popular after the first season and seems like they do everything to ruin his popularity in the second season by sidelining him, rushing his villain arc etc which is a shame because he was the most intriguing character after the first season. And usually a show would expand the storyline of a popular character but HOTD did the opposite with Aemond.
It's really unfair to Ewan, especially because HBO uses his popularity for promotion and basically tricks his fans into thinking he is one of the main characters, but when you watch the episodes he has like 1-2 minutes in them. I think we must express our disappointment on HBO socials, this season has already been criticized and they might want to change something next season or Ewan will just be wasted for another 3-4 years that he'll be working on this show.
cause he’s a side character
@@Hi___Youside character?? His character is one of the, if not the most pivotal of the dance
@@sofia-ou3uf ok maybe side character wasn’t the correct label but saying he is the most pivotal of the dance is a stretch
@@Hi___You the show made him the main villain and he didn't have any screentime this season. In the book he is more important than Alicent during the war, yet in the show she gets tons of screentime where she isn't even doing anything. Even someone with a small role like Oscar Tully has as much screentime as Aemond probably.
Kate saw Matt Smith in The Crown as Prince Philip and was like yep, just do that again in a fantasy setting lol. Matt should be careful of getting typecasted. Funny how she did not mention that role at all here but the two characters are actually pretty similar.
He has done a lot of varied roles. You are just saying he is same to Philip and that is just one example.
@@LauraGS564 you’re reading wrong. These two specific roles are very similar. I didn’t say every role Matt has done is the same. But two big roles like this in recent years, being similar characters, yes he could be typecast going forward.
IKR?
That's like *the one* that would convince anyone he will make for a terrific Daemon.
@@samf.s.7731 hilarious how she just didn’t mention that lol
He is highly versatile, he’s like a chameleon type of actor and has been around for a long time. I don’t see him getting typecast.
we need part 2!!!
They really did a great job with the casting, I didn't question for a second Rhaenys's whole deal is that she's been second best her whole life despite the actor being Best.
I could watch hours of casting directors talk about their process!
they just knew what they're doing putting Ewan on the cover
Emmas' easily my favourite actor on this show and that's saying a lot since almost all these actors are so talented.
I have to say that it was Millie who got me to stick with the show initially. I loved her so much as Rhaenyra. Emma's obviously wonderful also, but it was Millie for me. Her chemistry with both Matt and Fabian sold me. I would have liked to hear about the casting of Criston because I love Fabian too.
Great casting! Emma is my favorite, but they're all perfect and fantastic in these roles.
Her thoughtful and exact casting comes across in the final product. Superb.
Mrs Kate, you did a mind blowing job with the casting and I personally can not wait to see who you will cast as Daeron!