The other day, we learned that Emma D'Arcy was nominated for a Golden Globe for their performance as Rhaenyra Targaryen in the second season of House of the Dragon. D'Arcy was also nominated for the first season of the Game of Thrones prequel show, but lost to Euphoria's Zendaya. This time, D'Arcy is up against Kathy Bates (Matlock), Maya Erskine (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Keira Knightley (Black Doves), Keri Russell (The Diplomat) and Anna Sawai (Shōgun). Will this be their year?
Whether D'Arcy wins or not, they're thrilled to be nominated in such good company. "You know, the bit that I find hard to get my head around is, like, you know, these are actors who you’ve grown up watching, how could it be possible that I could be in the same list? That’s the sort of 'pinch me' quality to days like this," they told Variety.
D'Arcy also shared that they found out about the nomination while away in Texas researching a new project: "Just because of time zones, I was fully asleep and then my lovely partner called me, which was kind of unusual. My first thought was that something bad’s happened. And then he let me know. But a lovely way to wake up!" D'Arcy also shared that they've been in touch with their House of the Dragon cast and crewmates to celebrate the news: "All of us are in a fortunate position that my colleagues on the show are some of my best friends, right? So we’re all in touch all the time."
Emma D'Arcy is looking forward to representing House of the Dragon at the Golden Gloves before making season 3
Speaking to Gold Derby, D'Arcy remembered what the experience of getting a Golden Globe nomination was like the last time around. “When I was at the ceremony, I think my body was just in a sort of fight-flight response the whole time,” they said. “It was so adrenalizing and so far away from any experience I’d had prior to that. But, in a very lovely way, I have a different perspective now, and I think this series has felt particularly personal to me. I have such love for the show and for the people who make it. It makes me feel emotional to have an opportunity to reflect on all of that labor.”
With that experience behind her, D'Arcy thinks they're ready for the next ceremony, which will air on Sunday, January 5 on CBS: “I think I’ll be able to stay inside my body this time around. I feel deeply fortunate to get to represent the show and all of that labor and all of that work before we go and shoot another one.”
So far as we can tell, D'Arcy and the rest of the House of the Dragon team will go back and shoot "another one" sometime in March of 2025, meaning we probably won't see the third season until 2026. In the meanwhile, D'Arcy is happy to interact with fans. “I do meet people lots and lots in life — it’s an amazing, very beautiful part of my job,” they said. “People are really vocal about how they connect with the work. One of the beautiful aspects of long-form television is that both the actor and the viewer develops a long-term relationship with these characters, and that feels really special to me.”
Finally, D'Arcy was asked what it meant to get awards recognition like this as a nonbinary actor. "I guess my feeling is that the more trans and gender non-conforming folk that are sort of visible within the industry, the more space I hope we create for people in all walks of life to feel comfortable in their expression," they said. "So, in a lovely way, it doesn’t feel super complicated, but I do feel very honored to get to represent the community."
D'Arcy is the lone person from House of the Dragon up for an award at the January 5 ceremony, a downgrade from the last time the show was up for Golden Globe awards. At the 2023, ceremony, House of the Dragon took home the award for Best Drama, but this time it isn't nominated. Something tells me D'Arcy won't win — I think Anna Sawai from Shōgun is the favorite — from just being nominated in that company is an accomplishment. And who knows? Maybe I'll be surprised.
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