House of the Dragon star doesn’t want to be compared to controversial Game of Thrones character

Rhaenyra did everything she could to protect the Iron Throne, but that doesn’t mean Emma D’Arcy wants to be compared to the first Dragon Queen, Daenerys Targaryen.

In House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 7, Rhaenyra took her dragon seed plan to the next level, burning a bunch of potential dragon riders alive to save just two: Hugh Hammer and Ulf the White.

Her extreme plan and her reaction to it have left House of the Dragon viewers wondering if the Black Queen is turning evil, like her descendant, Daenerys Targaryen.

However, when asked about the connection, D’Arcy said (via GQ), “I mean, I don’t know if I… Obviously I object to the comparison to Daenerys. I don’t know why, but I object.”

Those who remember the much-criticized ending of Game of Thrones will recall Daenerys’ rampage, which resulted in the complete destruction of King’s Landing and the deaths of thousands. It was a famous twist that left many fans scratching their heads.

Daenerys was a character that many people had rooting for throughout the show, so the breakneck speed with which her character turned into a violent conqueror left many disappointed. With Rhaenyra also choosing to happily sacrifice innocent lives for her own ends, it seems like she could be on a similar path.

While D’Arcy was reluctant to make that connection, their insight into the pivotal moment in the episode allows for some foreshadowing.

When asked how Rhaenyra felt watching the dragonseed burn, they said: “I think she felt like a god. I think she felt incredibly proud. I mean, I think it was uncomfortable.

“I think there’s something to the religion, actually – even getting back close to the dragon, to that fire, somehow living up to your birthright. Somehow, imbibing the sacred.

“I mean, it’s horrible, but I think she’s a fanatic now, [and] I think she’s experiencing events on a much larger timeline. She’s imagining the history books. And you know, what’s happening right before her eyes is horrible.

“But in 300-400 years, what will be recorded is maybe a very short war; a major civil war averted, that this is a queen who rules First, that this Targaryen queen has expanded the Targaryens’ ability to have dragons in their arsenal.”

For more, check out our guide to all the dragons in the prequel series. Find out when the season 2 finale is coming out, and check out all the House of the Dragon filming locations, too.