Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith Break Silence on ‘House of the Dragon’s Brutal Season 3 Moment
The latest episode of House of the Dragon Season 3 delivered one of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s biggest moments yet, but according to Emma D’Arcy, taking the Iron Throne was never supposed to feel like a victory.
In an interview with Collider, D’Arcy opened up about Rhaenyra’s emotional journey in the first two episodes of the new season, including the devastating death of her son Jacaerys Velaryon and the complicated moment when she finally returns to King’s Landing.
For Rhaenyra, the road to the throne has always been about proving herself as the rightful ruler. However, after everything she has lost, sitting on the Iron Throne does not bring the happiness or satisfaction she once imagined.
The biggest emotional hit comes early in the season when Rhaenyra is forced to face the death of Jace. After his body is brought back following the Battle of the Gullet, she struggles to accept that her son and heir is truly gone. D’Arcy explained that filming the scene was one of the hardest moments they faced while making the series.
“If I’m totally honest, it’s the only scene in the series that I sort of dreaded, and I think I probably was quite avoidant about it for a while,” D’Arcy told Collider.
The actor explained that the scene required a deep emotional commitment because it was not only about Rhaenyra losing her child but also about saying goodbye to a longtime cast member. D’Arcy also praised Harry Collett, who plays Jace, for the way he handled the difficult filming day.
“We didn’t really speak in the morning, and he gave me kind of a wide berth, but we hadn’t talked about it in advance. Then at lunchtime, he found me very briefly and just said, ‘I didn’t know what would be best, but I just thought it could be some space,’” D’Arcy said.
After experiencing such a painful loss, Rhaenyra makes a major move by returning to King’s Landing with Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith. The pair expect to take control of the city, but things do not happen the way they planned.
With Aegon and Aemond missing, Rhaenyra is forced to make a different choice. Otto Hightower becomes the target, and his death becomes the moment that marks her official return to power. But instead of feeling like a powerful queen finally claiming her place, Rhaenyra appears broken by the reality of what she has done.
D’Arcy explained that the scene was designed to show the cost of power and how much Rhaenyra has changed. “I felt there was an opportunity in that scene to look at how power and the pursuit of power, the toll that that takes on identity, on the body, on one’s sense of self,” D’Arcy said.
The actor added that Rhaenyra may finally be getting the thing she wanted most, but it creates a new emotional struggle.
“By the time she does finally claim that seat, so long dreamt of, she’s kind of rudderless in some way, and actually may be finally claiming the sort of thing that could actually cause an identity crisis,” D’Arcy explained.
The moment becomes even more painful when Alicent Hightower arrives and sees what has happened. The former friends, who have spent years on opposite sides of the war, are forced to face each other again under the worst possible circumstances.
Matt Smith also teased that Rhaenyra and Daemon’s relationship will continue facing challenges. According to Smith, their personal struggles will grow alongside the larger war.
“There are some big peaks and troughs that come in within that, without giving too much away,” Smith said.
As House of the Dragon Season 3 continues, Rhaenyra’s fight for the throne is becoming less about winning and more about what she has to sacrifice to keep it.
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