Olivia Cooke discusses her role and experience in 'House of the Dragon' season 2

Olivia Cooke talks about her role in 'House of the Dragon' and the pressures of joining the franchise.

Ahead of the premiere of "House of the Dragon" Season 2, Olivia Cooke has shared insights about her journey and character development in the series. Known for her role as Alicent Hightower, Cooke elaborated on the character's evolution from a naive young woman to a powerful player within the Targaryen political landscape.

Cooke described Alicent's growth, stating, "In season one, you definitely saw her as the naive girl... In season two, she’s coming into her own power. She’s the most powerful she’s ever been as her son sits on the Iron Throne" as reported by Showbiz Junkies. This season will see Alicent navigating the complex dynamics of her full-grown sons, who are beginning to dismiss her influence

The actress also touched on the challenges and pressures of joining such a well-established franchise, noting the initial anxiety about fan reception. Despite the pressures, "House of the Dragon" debuted with almost 10 million viewers, making it HBO's biggest premiere at the time and earning critical acclaim according to Empire Online

Cooke also shared her feelings about the viral "Negroni Sbagliato" meme she and co-star Emma D'Arcy unintentionally created. While initially overwhelmed, she now views it with a sense of humor, seeing it as a harmless part of her public persona as reported by Wiki of Thrones

Looking ahead, Cooke is excited about her future projects, including producing and potentially directing, indicating a desire to expand her creative horizons beyond acting. She stated, "I can’t imagine ever leaving this industry, but I do want to produce more. I write, so I’d like to get something that I write and direct"