Matt Smith’s Reported Earnings per Episode of ‘House of the Dragon’ Revealed

Matt Smith has spent years crafting a diverse career in British acting, transitioning from the Eleventh Doctor in ‘Doctor Who’ to a standout performance as Prince Philip in ‘The Crown,’ and now portraying Daemon Targaryen in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Fans have been eager to discover how much the actor earns for his role as one of Westeros’s most intricate Targaryens.

This curiosity has intensified as ‘House of the Dragon’ has established itself as one of HBO’s most significant ongoing productions, with Season 3 currently airing its concluding episodes ahead of the finale on August 9. Given the show’s vast scale and budget, speculation regarding cast salaries has followed Smith and his co-stars throughout the series.

Reports regarding Smith’s salary for ‘House of the Dragon’ have fluctuated over the years, with initial estimates suggesting his per-episode pay was around $25,000 during the first season. While this figure is relatively modest compared to some of the staggering salaries rumored for other major HBO fantasy series, industry insiders have indicated that his pay likely increased as the show gained popularity in subsequent seasons.

General estimates for HBO’s flagship dramas typically place lead actors’ earnings between $100,000 and $300,000 per episode once a series proves its longevity, a range that some reports suggest Smith could now be nearing given his significant role in the show. However, without official confirmation from HBO, the precise current figure remains speculative.

Smith’s history of substantial per-episode paychecks dates back well before ‘House of the Dragon.’ During his time on ‘The Crown,’ he reportedly earned $52,000 per episode as Prince Philip, a figure that actually surpassed what co-star Claire Foy was earning at the time, despite her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.

This pay gap became a notable discussion point once it was revealed, leading producers to eventually acknowledge the discrepancy and implement a new policy ensuring that no one on the show would earn more than the actress playing the Queen. Smith’s earlier work on ‘Doctor Who’ also significantly contributed to his overall earnings, with estimates suggesting he made around $50,000 per episode during his 54-episode run as the Eleventh Doctor.

With ‘House of the Dragon’ already renewed for a fourth and final season expected to arrive in 2028, Smith’s per-episode earnings are likely to remain a topic of interest as the series approaches its conclusion. Given the show’s ongoing popularity and HBO’s reputation for rewarding long-standing lead actors as a series progresses, it wouldn’t be surprising if his compensation has significantly increased since those early Season 1 estimates.

For now, the exact current number remains unverified, leaving fans to rely on industry speculation rather than official figures from HBO itself.

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