Summary
After his discontent withGame of Thrones' ending, George R. R. Martin is immensely pleased with howHouse of the Dragonis improving one particular character. Martin wrote theSong of Ice and Fireseries that inspired HBO’s hit franchise, and he has been involved in the development of each show. AsHouse of the Dragonseason 2continues to adapt Martin’s book,Fire & Blood, the author has been offered several previews, including trips to the set.
In a recent post on Martin’sNot a Blog, he went into detail about how much he has been enjoying Tom Glynn-Carney’s performance as Aegon. While Martin has always viewed the book’s version of the character as a “villain,” he found that Glynn-Carney has added nuance to Aegon and managed to humanize him. The author also went on to praise the rest of the cast, but his love forGlynn-Carney’s performance is profound. Check out Martin’s quote below, which details his praise:
Tom Glynn-Carney brings Aegon alive in ways we have not seen before;he’s more than a villain here, he shows us the king’s rage, his pain, his fears and doubts. His humanity.
How Aegon Compares To His Book Counterpart
Aegon Is No Longer An Unsympathetic Villain
InFire & Blood,Aegon is a character that lacks much nuance. The book is told in the format of a textbook, compiled by Maesters from the historical record. Because of that style, there are different witnesses for each event, and each witness has a different perspective and description of the events. Characterizing any person through half-remembered recollections is challenging, especially through the Maesters' biases. The unreliable authors often attempt to paint Aegon in the best light, but they offer little to make him an engaging character.
A Song Of Ice And Fire: Every Game Of Thrones Book In Chronological Order
Before Game Of Thrones was a hit on HBO, it was a series of fantasy novels called A Song Of Ice And Fire. Here is every book in chronological order.
Aegon is presented as an increasingly power-hungry king who takes the throne shortly after his father’s death to prevent Rhaenyra from crowning herself. Aegon always despised his nephews, leaving both sides of the family split from the very beginning. He became a despotic and cruel ruler who relied on alcohol to cope. In the show, his actions are similar, butGlynn-Carney adds a tragic elementto the character. His desperation for love makes him a friend to the smallfolk, while he alienates the nobles, who will someday write the history of his reign.
Glynn-Carney is not alone among theHouse of the Dragoncastwhen it comes to bringing nuance to the characters. Martin also praised Rhys Ifans’s Otto Hightower, as one that “just crackles with wit, tension, drama”. He went on to shower praise on numerous actors, including Matt Smith (Daemon), Olivia Cooke (Alicent), Phia Saban (Helaena), and Emma D’arcy (Rhaenyra). He emphasized that he “cannot say enough about the acting,” which has been the center of his attention. Glynn-Carney’s performance inHouse of the Dragonis inspirational for Martin, and the rest of the cast is just as skilled.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 air Sundays on HBO.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
