RUMOR has it that HBO is considering casting Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon, its Game of Thrones prequel show. Good, bad, or terrible idea?
Welcome, one and all to the rumor mill. And we have a big one today: according to The Illuminerdi, HBO is considering Matt Smith (Doctor Who, The Crown) for the role of Daemon Targaryen on its Game of Thrones prequel show, House of the Dragon.
First a couple of caveats. Caveat 1: This is a rumor. The Illuminerdi is a good site, but we shouldn’t take everything they say as gospel. It’s interesting, but not certain.
Caveat 2: Even if HBO is considering Smith for this part, The Illuminerdi reports that while the network is giving him “considerable interest,” but hasn’t extended a formal offer. So even if the rumor is true, it doesn’t mean that Smith is playing Daemon Targaryen.
And honestly, I think that’s prooooobably for the best. Let’s get into why.
Daemon Targaryen is the younger brother of King Viserys I Targaryen, who will be played by Paddy Considine on the show — thus far, that’s the only casting decision HBO has made official. Where King Viserys is methodical, Daemon is rash. While Viserys thinks first and acts later (or not at all), Daemon lets his sword (among other things) do the thinking for him. Being so different, the two brothers definitely have their clashes, although they make up as often as they fight.
Daemon has a hugely important role in this story. After Viserys dies, there’s a war for his throne fought between his daughter Rhaenyra and his son by another wife, Aegon. Daemon joins with Rhaenyra’s side. He ought to; he eventually marries her.
And yes, he’s her uncle; how very Targaryen of him. And that’s not the only woman he’ll be with over the course of the story.
So Daemon Targaryen is a swaggering bully who likes violence and sex. He’s a great character…but honestly, I dunno if I see Matt Smith in the role. To start, I don’t know if he has the right look. He’s very tall and lanky, and I find it hard to believe he could be imposing physically. But hey, a year in weight training and a silver wig might do wonders.
Also, given the kinds of roles I’m used to seeing Smith play, I just can’t picture him portraying an a**hole like Daemon. I’m used to seeing him as the Eleventh Doctor, where he’s twee and quirky. He’s a bit of a jerk as Prince Philip on The Crown, but he’s a very genteel, priggish jerk, nothing like the wild Daemon.
So I’m not really feeling this casting choice, but again, it’s a rumor, and even if it’s true, the rumor is only that he’s being considered, not cast.
What do you make of it? Am I not giving Smith a fair shake?
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