House of the Dragonmay not seem like a slasher film, but one iconic horror character has inspired the series. According to Aemond Targaryen actor Ewan Mitchell, he based his performance on a major ’80s slasher. Mitchell spoke withComicBook.comabout his inspiration for his portrayal of Aemond Targaryen. A quiet, one-eyed menace, Aemond exudes tension and deadliness, but it still came as a surprise whenMitchell identified horror icon Michael Myers as one of his inspirations. He said:
“Just, like, through his physicality. No matter how slow he walks,he always catches up with Jamie Lee Curtis. He doesn’t have to say much, he’s just super scary. Just the way he inhabits space, which is something that I used for Aemond for sure.”
House of the Dragon
Taking place about 172 years before the events ofGame of Thrones,House of the Dragontells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
Mitchell’s Aemond is to be reckoned with:flying the largest dragon in the series, Vhagar, Aemond serves as the biggest threat to the Blacks, Rhaenyra’s main power base. Although the Greens have fewer dragons, Aemond’s choice of mount evens the score enough to set the stage for the Dance of the Dragons. Unfortunately for Aemond, however, he finds himself as the ‘spare’ to Tom Glynn-Carney’s Aegon II.
House of the Dragon Delivers Some Powerhouse Performances
Since Season 1 ofHouse of the Dragon, the show has been praised for its stellar cast. Standout performers include Milly Alcock, who portrayed a young Rhaenyra Targaryen for the first five episodes of Season 1. Alcock’s rebellious, yet confidently insecure portrayal endeared her to audiences, and she surprisingly returned as a hallucination in Season 2, Episode 3, “The Burning Mill”.
Adult Rhaenyra actor Emma D’Arcy has also received praise for their performance. Though Rhaenyra has only one line in Season 2, Episode 1, “A Son for a Son”, critics singled out their portrayal of grief and fury over the loss of a child. Their internal struggle over the start of the Dance of the Dragons has served as Season 2’s main point of conflict; although Rhaenyra desires the Iron Throne, she finds that she cannot bear to start a war that will see thousands — if not millions — die, especially after the death of her son Lucerys in the Season 1 finale.
House of the Dragon Star Breaks Down Emotional Preparation for Her ‘Sophie’s Choice’ Moment
Phia Saban discusses Queen Helaena’s thought process during THAT scene.
The Greens have also received their own accolades. Phia Saban’s performance as the innocent Helaena Targaryen has evenreceived praise from franchise creator George R. R. Martin, who singled out her performance for its portrayal of dissociation in the face of great trauma. Out of the main cast, Saban carried one of the show’s darkest and most disturbing moments yet: Blood and Cheese.
AlthoughHouse of the Dragonis a fantasy, it draws from a myriad of sources to craft its story. There are numerous literary, cinematic, and historical references that make up the show, and it looks like Michael Myers can be added to that list. The series continues on HBO this Sunday, with previous episodes streaming on Max.
