From viral cocktails to being scared to Google themself, the actor’s role as Rhaenyra Targaryen in the Game of Thrones prequel has made them huge. They talk violence, childbirth – and why those incest scenes are ok
Emma D’Arcy achieved a lot in 2022, but going viral was the least expected. “Negroni sbagliato – with prosecco in it,” D’Arcy, who uses they/them pronouns, coolly answered when asked by co-star Olivia Cooke what their drink of choice was. The bewitching video sent people wild and has since had more than 100m views on TikTok. “I’m thrilled that drink is finally getting the recognition it deserves,” they say in those now-famous velvety tones. “And my mum is thrilled about me becoming a meme! It’s very flattering.”
It happened while doing publicity for House of the Dragon – HBO’s highly anticipated prequel to Game of Thrones, based on George RR Martin’s book Fire and Blood. D’Arcy plays Rhaenyra Targaryen, who is named heir to the iron throne but is constantly challenged by those who do not believe a woman should sit upon it. As the death of King Viserys, her declining father (played by Paddy Considine) draws closer, the chambers and corridors of the Red Keep are thick with plotting and backstabbing – everything Game of Thrones fans had been missing since 2019.
