Olivia Cooke, who plays Alicent Hightower in 'House of the Dragon,' shares her father's amusingly belated reaction to the series, discusses her character's divisive reception, and recounts her journey through Hollywood, including why she quit Instagram.
Olivia Cooke, the 32-year-old star of 'House of the Dragon,' recounts her father's recent, casual discovery of the hit HBO series, six years after she started working on it, leading to a humorous exchange about his 'quite violent' review. Cooke reflects on her diverse career, from 'Bates Motel' and 'Ready Player One' to 'Sound of Metal,' noting that 'House of the Dragon,' where she plays the complex Alicent Hightower, has been a significant turning point. She delves into Alicent's intricate storyline, her betrayal of Rhaenyra, and the character's unexpected appeal to queer audiences. Cooke also opens up about facing vitriolic fan reactions in public and her decision to delete Instagram due to its negative impact on mental self-image. She touches on her viral 'negroni sbagliato' moment, the success of her recent thriller 'The Girlfriend,' and passionately advocates for more funding for working-class arts programs, drawing from her own experience at Oldham Theatre Workshop. With three films on the horizon and 'House of the Dragon' approaching its final season, Cooke hopes her character, Alicent, will survive, mirroring the books.
