‘House of the Dragon’ Star Olivia Cooke Discusses Alicent’s Reaction to Otto’s Death

‘House of the Dragon’ has reached a pivotal moment in Season 3, Episode 2, which could significantly alter the dynamics between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower.

In an interview with PEOPLE, stars Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke reflected on the shocking conclusion of the episode, discussing the implications of Otto Hightower’s death for both characters moving forward.

The episode features Rhaenyra’s return to King’s Landing, where she finally ascends the Iron Throne. This moment is facilitated by Alicent, who discreetly creates an opportunity after Aemond departs the city. Alicent believes she has brokered an agreement with Rhaenyra and plans to leave with her daughter Helaena before tensions escalate.

However, the situation takes a dramatic turn when Otto Hightower unexpectedly enters the throne room. Having been absent since the Season 2 finale, he confronts Rhaenyra. Prompted by Daemon, Rhaenyra makes a decisive move, executing Otto by beheading him.

The timing is disastrous. Alicent arrives shortly after with Helaena, only to find her father’s lifeless body in the throne room. This moment shatters any hope of a fragile understanding between Alicent and Rhaenyra.

In her conversation with PEOPLE, Olivia Cooke explained that Alicent is unaware of the events that transpired before her arrival. “There’s a lot that Alicent doesn’t understand,” Cooke stated. “[She] doesn’t know what’s happened.” She emphasized that Alicent’s priority was escaping with Helaena, rather than engaging in political maneuvering.

“I think she’s just like, okay, I’ve made this bargain with Rhaenyra. I need to enact that, grab Helena and get the f— out of there before it all goes to s—,” she added.

From Alicent’s perspective, witnessing Rhaenyra execute her father is devastating. She lacks knowledge of Otto’s recent actions or his reasons for being there, leading her to assume the worst.

“She just beheaded my dad. In front of everyone. She doesn’t know where Otto has been, so for all she knows, he’s been held prisoner by [Rhaenyra],” Cooke explained. “This feels like a very public display of this assertion of power. I think Alicent is just like, ‘Okay, well, f— you.’”

Emma D’Arcy also spoke to PEOPLE about the significance of this moment for Rhaenyra. While the execution solidifies her claim to the throne, D’Arcy notes that it carries a heavy emotional toll.

“I think there’s an important point that the show makes about rulers of any kind being insulated from their acts of violence. And in this moment, Rhaenyra’s not insulated. In fact, she’s subject to the kind of viscerality and horror of violence,” D’Arcy remarked. “I think there’s a threshold that gets crossed in that moment, for better or for worse.”

D’Arcy further described Otto’s execution as more than a mere political act. It serves as a personal blow due to Otto’s longstanding relationship with Rhaenyra’s family. “There’s an optics game going on. But this is a man who is your father’s best friend, and so, in a way, can you be anything but a child in his gaze? I don’t think so,” she explained.

For D’Arcy, the goal of the scene was to illustrate that Rhaenyra relinquishes part of her childhood as she claims the Iron Throne. “What I wanted to achieve was to sort of strip her of her childhood, by the time she takes the throne,” D’Arcy shared.

Otto Hightower’s death is poised to have significant ramifications for the remainder of Season 3. Alicent now perceives Rhaenyra as having murdered her father in a display of power, while Rhaenyra has crossed a personal boundary that cannot be easily reversed.

According to the cast’s insights shared with PEOPLE, this shocking conclusion is not just another casualty in the Dance of the Dragons. It marks a turning point that permanently alters both women and complicates any potential reconciliation.

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