The Secrets Behind Casting the ‘House of the Dragon’ Actors | Vanity Fair
House of the Dragon casting director Kate Rhodes James takes us through her casting process while sharing her foresights for each characters’ future on the show. From Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenerya and Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Kate breaks down the intricacies of creating the show’s vision through her stellar casting.
Thumbnail: Daemon Photo by Liam Daniel/HBO
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@olliemorgan9735
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
I hope the casting director will consider Kit Connor for the rle of Daeron the Daring. He is the correct age, correct coloring, correct athletic build, and has the acting chops. He is also a proven audience getter and may be available, having just finished on Broadway.
@vitalimatomusic
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
no because at first I thought house of dragon waited years between season 1/2 for alicent and rhaenyra to get older because thats how perfect their younger versions were for the older versions
@costhaplolz
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Whatever she was paid it wasnt enough
@a.a677
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Milly and Emma casting is perfect, same with Matt
@neyragrat
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Matthew Needham's Larys, Ryan Corr's Harwin, and Matt Smith's Daemon are the only people I can say on this show weren't miscast.
@felipebezerra682
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
So interesting to know the perspective of the casting director. There's so much going on through the process of series/movie production we have no clue. I wish I could see more of this.
@ik1768
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
hotd lucked out with emma+olivia. i have rewatched that 'eye for an eye' scene a million times!
@elsafowl
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
No notes for Helaena and Otto? I guess not doing all of the kids makes sense, but at least Jace, Baela and Rhaena also seem important for the overall plot. But well, I'm already very happy with these comments on each actor/actress and characters, it's really a fascinating process and I'm happy HOTD is doing these videos on all aspects of the show (and not just cast interviews), so thanks! 🎉
@Dany87Dgh
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Olivia was also a big mistake. Firstly, I can't believe that she is the mother of these children, you could hire an actress of suitable appearance and age. Secondly, Olivia is incompetent and ignored the instructions of the showrunners and as a result, alicent was spoiled as a character
@Dany87Dgh
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Olivia was also a big mistake. Firstly, I can't believe that she is the mother of these children, you could hire an actress of suitable appearance and age. Secondly, Olivia is incompetent and ignored the instructions of the showrunners and as a result, alicent was spoiled as a character
@Dany87Dgh
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
There is no free spirit and rigidity in the elder rhaenyra. She is narrow-minded, cowardly and passive. You did not catch the character of the book rhaenyra at all and did the opposite in the end, it did not go to the character's advantage, but only to the minus
@psychopomp-s5c
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
She did an amazing job with casting. The chemistry between these actors even outside their roles is incredible. That's why I'm devastated that we won't have Eve Best on the show any longer–not only because of Rhaenys, but also because she and Steve had some of the best interviews together.
@lipeepipol
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
"Them this, they that, their it…..then actress" 🙄🙄🙄
@ALEXMGFASHION
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
I agree – all the actors are amazing! So much talent!
@ravens_tale
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
WHAT ABOUT PADDY
@anthonyguerin7659
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
But all adults cast is amazing Kate Rhodes you did amazing I love you
@melodic_purge
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
I just love everything about this.
@EllenLouise19
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
I would love love love to see her do another video like this about her casting process while working on AMCs Interview With The Vampire, because she's done such an incredible job of casting both television shows
@vishalsam1999
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
What about the dragons?
@btsarmysforever9165
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Thank you thank you for casting matt Smith as Daemon….I am rewatching HOD cause of HIM…
@ink888
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Theatre is very much an alive art in UK it seems
@pigpig252
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
The casting for this show has been incredible all around. Paddy Considine stands out as someone I'd only ever thought of as a comedy actor. I never thought he'd give one of the best emotional performances I've seen
@chasewalker8952
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
she is what i think of when i think british women
@LiamDaLemon
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
I really think the success of got was due primarily to the source material. I think George is the genius here. Interesting that she didn't mention him once.
@nathantemple5173
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
So she is a activist.
@ElvishShellfish
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
She didn’t want a doe-eyed Rhaenyra, so she found two squinty eyed people to portray her 😂
They’re both brilliant.
@HaraldSon94
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
we are not explaining the race swaps…ok
@missOhdrey
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Sad she didnt address Paddy! Best performance of season 1 by far.
@valleyscharping
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
So this is the racist chick that blackwashed white characters?
@YrahSGLH
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
I remember I was surprised that Matt was involved in the show, when I first heard about it. I have been a big Matt Smith-fan for years, but I didn't know how it would be like to seeing Matt playing a Targaryen. However turns out, he is PERFECT as Daemon 😀 But I also think everybody else is perfect in their roles. It's a stunning cast for a stunning show 😀
@abaddonnnnn
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
I would've loved to hear about Paddy's and Phia's casting
@callicantzaro1724
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Wow, great job with the audio… NOT.
4 million subscribers, and you let this video through without proper checking your audio processing.. just embarrassing
@alicedell8595
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
She found Emma and then speaks about her as "they" and "them"?! WTF? Stupid, virtue signalling leftard.
@hathhath2444
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
The fact they must've spent a lot of time and resources to find them and then literally 'pray' and 'hope' just shows you just can't buy the chemistry and the goosebumps.
@hathhath2444
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Love tge respect shown by using Emma's chosen pronouns.
@fina4907
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
What about Rhys Ifans? His performance is just one of the best in the show.
@gold_coin7
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
The casting director ate this HotD actors line up 🔥🔥🔥
@Savage-nv6wr
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Ewan Mitchell might be the best Targaryen casting ever !
@Mutazili
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Amazing acting, amazing cinematography, horrible writing.
@mranonymous1805
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
Calling Emma “they” confused me because I thought she was talking about multiple people. Silly me. I forgot in 2024 definitions of words don’t matter anymore.
@NonhackableGamer
March 13, 2025 at 4:46 am
They is a plural pronoun