Olivia Cooke Reveals Alicent's True Priorities in House of the Dragon Season 3

In a roundtable interview ahead of House of the Dragon's Season 3 premiere, actress Olivia Cooke explained that her character Alicent Hightower's focus in the new season has shifted away from reconciliation with Rhaenyra Targaryen and toward survival. Alicent and Rhaenyra have evolved from childhood best friends to bitter rivals since the series began, a dynamic rooted in Alicent's marriage to Rhaenyra's father. However, following events in the Season 2 finale where Alicent makes a pivotal proposal to Rhaenyra, the two characters' relationship enters new territory.

Cooke stated that Alicent is not consciously aware of where she stands with Rhaenyra and that reconciliation is not her immediate concern. Instead, Alicent is focused on ensuring a safe transition of power at the Red Keep and protecting herself and her daughter Helaena from harm. According to Cooke, Alicent has made the difficult decision to offer Aegon II's head as the price for Rhaenyra to take King's Landing and claim the Iron Throne, a choice she previously rejected. Cooke explained that Alicent recognized this was the only offer that would transfer the loyalty of the kingdom to Rhaenyra, a realization she came to during her return journey to Westeros.

Beyond Alicent's personal arc, the Season 3 premiere also follows other key characters navigating the ongoing conflict. Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower remain separated from Alicent, fighting in the war while uncertain whether she and others in King's Landing survive. Cooke noted the strain of this separation, explaining that Alicent has no knowledge of whether Cole and Gwayne are alive. Gwayne, meanwhile, will clash with Ormund Hightower over influence and political positioning throughout the season.

While Alicent and Rhaenyra's future remains uncertain, the show's creator Ryan Condal recently indicated that the series will not end happily in its fourth and final season, suggesting further complexity and tragedy ahead for both characters. The dynamic between the two women—augmented in the show by aging down Alicent to be Rhaenyra's childhood friend, a significant change from George R.R. Martin's source material—continues to add emotional depth to the series.