“I know people were craving some sort of big blowout world war situation – but rest assured that’s all to come”: Tom Glynn-Carney on House of the Dragon season two finale

Sarah Bradbury 20 August 2024

“I know people were craving some sort of big blowout world war situation – but rest assured that’s all to come”: Tom Glynn-Carney on House of the Dragon season two finale

House of the Dragon is the critically acclaimed Sky series based on George R R Martin’s 2018 novel Fire & Blood, a prequel to the worldwide phenomenon Game of Thrones. Set nearly 200 years prior, it depicts the events that led to a war of succession in the House Targaryen called the “Dance of the Dragons”.

As the highly anticipated finale of season two lands with the ultimate cliffhanger, teasing a world on the brink of all out battle, The Upcoming spoke to Tom Glynn-Carney, who plays King Aegon II of House Targaryen. We discussed the divisive nature of Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon series’ finales, often as a reflection of how deeply invested fans are in the world and its characters, and the enduring appeal of such fantasy drama shows that explore contemporary questions of the human condition in an otherworldly, lawless context.

Glynn-Carney also delved into his approach to his character beyond donning the trademark wig, particularly his nuanced vulnerability, aiming to humanise rather than villainise him. He shared the challenges of portraying a bitter, broken, bedridden Aegon in the final episode, his enjoyment of delivering darkly humorous lines and the camaraderie and professionalism within both the cast – from Olivia Cooke to Ewan Mitchell – and crew that made his time on set a joy. Glynn-Carney also praised the production’s sky-high values and teased a darker turn for Aegon in season three, while reflecting on his career and the variety of roles that challenge him, from Dunkirk to Tolkien on the silver screen and SAS: Rogue Heroes and The Jetty on the small screen to his award-winning turn in The Ferryman on stage.