Matt Smith reveals why he's 'grown quite fond' of House of the Dragon's 'ghastly' Daemon Targaryen

Virgin Radio

11 Jun 2024, 08:25

With House of the Dragon back on our screens in just a few days, Matt Smith has spoken about what he “respects” and “likes” about his character, Daemon Targaryen.

Season two kicks off on Monday 17th June and, ahead of its release, its stars took to the red carpet for the UK Premiere in London’s Leicester Square last night (10th June), and virginradio.co.uk was there to talk to them.

The new season of the hit Game of Thrones prequel will see Westeros on the brink of a bloody civil war, with the Green and Black Councils fighting for King Aegon and Queen Rhaenyra, respectively.

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Among the returning cast is Matt Smith, who plays Prince Daemon Targaryen. Speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press at the rainy premiere, the Doctor Who star said: “It's pretty extraordinary. It's got such scale, I suppose. It feels it feels great to be here and be involved and to celebrate with everyone.”

Speaking about what is in store for his character this time round, the actor told us: “Look, he does some pretty ghastly stuff. There's no doubting that.”

On his thoughts towards Daemon, he continued: “He's got his own set of morals, which somehow, even though to the rest of the world, they don't really make sense but to Daemon Targaryen they absolutely do. And I think there's something about that that I respect ultimately.”

He added; “Look, I like him! I think you do, when you play someone. You grow quite fond of them.”

Adapted from George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon takes place approximately 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and the second outing will also see the return of Olivia Cooke from Slow Horses as Alicent Hightower, and Wanderlust’s Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen. 

Also returning will be Notting Hill’s Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell and Tom Glynn-Carney, as well as Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham.

New additions include Tom Taylor, Clinton Liberty, Jamie Kenna, Kieran Bew, Vincent Regan and more.

Also at the UK Premiere, House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal hinted at season 3. Read more here.

Keep an eye on virginradio.co.uk for more interviews from the UK premiere.

House of the Dragon season 2 begins airing on Monday 17th June on Sky and NOW in the UK.