Milly Alcock: 'High-Up' Advised Acting Coach on 'House of the Dragon' Set

Milly Alcock, known for her role as the young Rhaenyra Targaryen in the acclaimed House of the Dragon, experienced a challenging start to her journey in the Game of Thrones universe. The Australian actress disclosed that on just her second day on set, someone in a significant position of authority suggested she needed acting coaching. "On my second day on House of the Dragon, one of the, I’m not gonna say who, but someone very high up, pulled me aside and was like, ‘Um, we’re gonna get you an acting coach,’" Alcock shared during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show. She admitted feeling "mortified" by the feedback.

Despite the initial setback, Alcock humorously reflected on the incident, noting how it humbled her. "It just confirmed everything that I’ve kind of known to be true, [which] is that I’m not very good at my job," she quipped, though it was clear she was joking. "You know what I mean! I was like, ‘I can’t do this. This is terrible. This is a big mistake.’"

Alcock's portrayal of King Viserys I Targaryen's daughter and heir, Rhaenyra Targaryen, has been a standout in the series. She played the role as a series regular in Season 1 and made guest appearances in Season 2, which chronicles the decline of the Targaryen dynasty. Emma D’Arcy steps into the role for the character's adult years, eventually ascending to the throne as Queen.

Milly Alcock as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images.

House of the Dragon debuted in August 2022, shortly over three years following the conclusion of the original Game of Thrones series. The spinoff's success was immediate; it was renewed for a second season mere days after its premiere and secured a third season renewal in June 2024, before Season 2 even began airing. The series also clinched the Golden Globe for Best Television Series — Drama.

Looking ahead, Alcock is set to expand her superhero portfolio by portraying Kara Zor-El / Supergirl in the upcoming Superman movie this summer and in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow next year. As for Season 3 of House of the Dragon, while it is confirmed to be in production, an official release date has yet to be announced.