‘House of the Dragon’ Star Ewan Mitchell Breaks Down Aemond’s Uncomfortable Moment With Alicent

House of the Dragon season 3 started with plenty of violence, political tension, and family drama, but one scene between Aemond Targaryen and Alicent Hightower quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the premiere.

The unexpected scene sees Aemond, played by Ewan Mitchell, share a kiss with his mother Alicent, played by Olivia Cooke. The moment leaves Alicent visibly uncomfortable, while Aemond appears to see the situation very differently. For many viewers, it was a shocking reminder of how complicated and damaged the Targaryen family relationships have become.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Mitchell opened up about his reaction when he first read the scene in the script. The actor admitted that he knew it would be a controversial moment but felt it matched the complicated relationship between Aemond and Alicent.

“When I read it in the script for the first time, I just thought, ‘Oh, that’s something. Quite out there,’” Mitchell said. He added that after exploring Aemond’s history with his mother, the scene made sense from his character’s perspective.

According to Mitchell, Aemond does not view the moment the same way Alicent does. In his mind, the kiss is connected to power, control, and his belief that he has become the person responsible for his family.

“In Aemond’s head, it’s like he’s assuming control of the family,” Mitchell explained. “He’s the new leader.”

The actor also praised Olivia Cooke’s work during the difficult scene, saying she helped create a powerful moment between the two characters. Mitchell revealed that they filmed different versions of the scene before deciding which one worked best, focusing on their expressions and reactions.

While the moment shocked fans, House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal explained that it was not included just for shock value. He said the scene connects to Aemond’s childhood experiences and the trauma that shaped him.

Condal pointed out that Aemond grew up in a difficult environment. He was bullied, lost his eye, and spent years trying to prove himself. The showrunner believes those experiences affected how Aemond understands love and affection.

“He’s somebody that was traumatized at an early age,” Condal said. “As these things do, that trauma then manifests a certain way in his behavior as an adult.”

Mitchell also discussed how Aemond’s lack of emotional support affected him. The actor explained that Aemond never really learned how to express his feelings in a healthy way because he did not receive the love and acceptance he needed growing up.

“Growing up, [kids] need that unconditional love from people to develop a balanced view of themselves,” Mitchell said. “And Aemond’s never really felt like he ever had that love from anyone, really.”

The scene also reflects Alicent’s own struggles as a mother. Condal explained that Alicent was forced into adulthood at a very young age and was never prepared for the role she was given.

“We all know that Alicent didn’t do a great job as a mom, but who would have in that situation where you got groomed by your father and married off to a much older man at such an early age?” Condal said.

For the creators and cast, the kiss is meant to show another side of Aemond. Behind his confidence and intimidating image is someone deeply affected by his past. As season 3 continues, the complicated bond between Aemond and Alicent could become one of the most important parts of the story.

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