Milly Alcock: 'High-Up' Advised Acting Coach on House of the Dragon Set

Milly Alcock, known for portraying the young Rhaenyra Targaryen in the acclaimed series "House of the Dragon," faced an unexpected challenge early in her tenure on the show. The Australian actress recounted on "The Tonight Show" that just two days into filming, a high-ranking individual on set suggested she undergo acting coaching. "On my second day on House of the Dragon, one of the, I’m not gonna say who, but someone very high up, pulled me aside and was like, ‘Um, we’re gonna get you an acting coach,’" Alcock shared, admitting she was "mortified" by the encounter.

Despite the initial setback, Alcock humorously reflected on the experience, saying it "just confirmed everything that I’ve kind of known to be true, [which] is that I’m not very good at my job," though she was clearly joking. "You know what I mean! I was like, ‘I can’t do this. This is terrible. This is a big mistake.’"

Alcock's portrayal of King Viserys I Targaryen's daughter and heir in "House of the Dragon" has been a significant part of her career. She appeared as a series regular in Season 1 and made guest appearances in Season 2, which chronicles the decline of the House Targaryen. The role of the adult Rhaenyra is taken on by Emma D’Arcy, who plays the character as she ascends to become Queen.

The series, which debuted in August 2022—three years following the finale of the original "Game of Thrones"—quickly garnered acclaim and was renewed for a second season shortly after its premiere. Its success continued, securing a third season renewal in June 2024, even before the second season began airing. "House of the Dragon" also clinched the Golden Globe for Best Television Series — Drama, underscoring its impact in the television landscape.

Looking ahead, Alcock is set to expand her repertoire by taking on the role of Kara Zor-El / Supergirl in the upcoming "Superman" movie this summer and in "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow" next year. While the third season of "House of the Dragon" is confirmed, fans eagerly await an official release date.