Ewan Mitchell, who portrays the menacing Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon, confesses to a surprising truth: he has never watched the original Game of Thrones.
In an interview with ComicBook.com, Mitchell explains his unconventional decision, citing a desire to bring a fresh perspective to his role.
“I haven’t seen the original Game of Thrones,” Mitchell admits. “I have a confession to make. I’ve never seen it and I didn’t want to watch it going into this role. I didn’t want it to inform my decisions in any way, shape, or form, you know, whether it be consciously or subconsciously. I wanted to bring something fresh. Aemond is one of a kind, you know.”
As the highly anticipated second season of House of the Dragon unfolds on HBO Max, Mitchell’s character, Aemond Targaryen, finds himself at the center of pivotal events stemming from his actions in the previous season. His vengeful act against Lucerys Velaryon sets the stage for impending conflict between the Greens and the Blacks.
Despite his unfamiliarity with Game of Thrones, Mitchell draws inspiration from an unexpected source for his character. “I see Michael Myers from Halloween,” he reveals. “Just through his physicality, you know, no matter how slow he walks, he always catches up with Jamie Lee Curtis.
You know, he doesn’t have to say much. He’s just super scary. The way he inhabits space was something that I used with Aemond for sure.”
Describing Aemond as the most “insidious” character in the franchise, Mitchell hints at the complexity and ruthlessness that define his role. “I don’t think we’ve seen anyone as insidious as Aemond in Westeros. He’s going to play you like a violin, and you’re either with him or against him. You can either be on Rhaenyra’s side or you can stay in one piece.”
As anticipation mounts for the premiere of House of the Dragon season 2 on June 16 in the US and June 17 in the UK, Mitchell’s portrayal of Aemond Targaryen promises to captivate audiences with its freshness and intensity. For more insights, don’t miss our review of House of the Dragon season 2, offering a glimpse into the first four episodes of the epic saga.
