Matt Smith, one of the leading stars of HBO’sGame of ThronesprequelHouse of the Dragon, says that the Daemon Targaryen found in Season 2 is drastically different from the devilish rogue seen in Season 1. Set 200 years before the events of HBO’s landmark fantasy series,House of the Dragonshowcases the rise and fall of House Targaryen, who rule from the Iron Throne with the help of several gigantic dragons. Caught in the middle of the power struggle is Daemon Targaryen (Smith), a black prince with his own ambitions and thirst for power outside the Iron Throne.
Matt Smith recently sat down withVarietyto discuss the upcoming second season and teased that Daemon undergoes a drastic character shift when the show returns this June.“We definitely meet Daemon at a point of crisis in this situation, and in many ways, it’s a different version of him,“Smith said. Season 1 saw Daemon’s influence rise and fall through several battles and marriages (including one, in true Westeros fashion, to his niece Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock/Emma D’Arcy). Season 2 drags House Targaryen and House Hightower into the grips of an all-out war, as the two allies-turned-rivals battle for power. Smith continued describing the version of Daemon’s character in Season 2, saying:
“It’s one that’s much weaker.”
House of the Dragon
Taking place about 172 years before the events ofGame of Thrones,House of the Dragontells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
Season 2 will also see Daemon’s relationship with his wife/niece Rhaenyra change in the face of war. Always acting on his own authority, Daemon found himself at the mercy of his enemies' and allies' suspicions in Season 1, andSeason 2 addresses the fallout of this.D’Arcy, who plays the current version of Rhaenyra inHouse of the Dragon, commented on their characters' relationship in Variety’s story and revealed how they depend on each other. D’Arcy said:
“They serve a little thing that’s missing in one another. Daemon offers a diagram for living — he expands her horizons massively. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra gives Daemon something to fight for.”
Matt Smith Was the First Choice to Play Daemon Targaryen
Just like withGame of Thrones, the casting process forHouse of the Dragoninvolved finding established, but not internationally adored actors who could deliver exceptional performances, without letting their star power overshadow their characters. In Season 1, Matt Smith was the most high-profile actor attached to the project, having starred in several major series,includingDoctor WhoandThe Crown. In Variety’s story, series co-creator Ryan Condal admitted that Matt Smith was always the front-runner to play Daemon Targaryen. Condal described his desire to cast Smith, saying:
“It was one of those rare instances where you have an actor’s headshot up on the writers’ board.”
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The casting process took place in 2020, during the middle of the COVID pandemic, with Condal commenting"we had to go through two weeks of preparations just to get in the room with the guy.“Ultimately though, Ryan Condal said the palaver of social distancing, isolating, and testing was worth it, as he praised Smith’s audition, saying"he was dazzling.”
Season 2 ofHouse of the Dragonbegins on HBO and Max on July 13, 2025.
