Everything to know about House of the Dragon star Matt Smith

When it comes to actors who score parts in iconic franchises, Matt Smith is certainly one to watch. From Doctor Who to House of the Dragon, Smith has consistently shown range and depth in his roles. And the fact that he has done this repeatedly in iconic programs is something to admire.

At 26 years old, Matt Smith rose to prominence in the iconic role of the Doctor in Doctor Who. As the Eleventh Doctor, he had a lot riding on his shoulders since he was the actor who took over from David Tennant, another legend in his own right. Smith was the youngest actor to take on the role at the time of his casting.

In the role of the Doctor, he brought a sense of whimsy and fun to the character, while still bringing a sense of seriousness to the role as well. He knew when and how to be charming, while also bringing a depth of emotion that is hard to ignore. He was the first lead actor in Doctor Who to be nominated for a BAFTA award for Best TV Actor. That is pretty impressive considering how long the series has been around.

Matt Smith beyond Doctor Who

Of course, Doctor Who was only the beginning of Smith showing fans that he has what it takes to be a star. And not just any star, the kind of star who is so versatile that you can just as easily see him as a quirky science fiction hero traveling through time and space as you can a villainous, dragon-riding prince or even the real-life Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II herself.

Following his time as the Doctor, Matt Smith then moved on to the role of Prince Philip in The Crown on Netflix. It was a role that saw him earn a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama. And it was one that also gave us a look at how serious he can be. He proved that he can truly become anyone, and he seemed to do it in style.

Perhaps the most telling sign of just how good Smith was at portraying Prince Philip comes from the reaction of Prince Harry. As PEOPLE once reported, when Matt Smith met the prince at a polo match, the two shook hands and Prince Harry called him "granddad." And whether or not that means that the prince watched The Crown, it is clear that he knew exactly who the actor portrayed in the series.

Around the same time as he took on this rather iconic role as the Queen's Consort, Smith also had supporting roles in Terminator Genisys and in the 2016 film Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Other projects that Matt Smith worked on leading up to House of the Dragon include His House, Patient Zero, and The Forgiven.

There is no denying that his role in House of the Dragon as Daemon Targaryen is where Matt Smith is currently shining. The character is cunning and fearless, with an exceptional ability to lead and fight. And these are things that the actor has been able to embody with ease.

The thing that really makes Matt Smith special is that in every interview, he is able to bring a sense of humor and fun that is the complete opposite of what he portrays in House of the Dragon. Perhaps one of the best interviews was a recent one with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show where he talked about being an aspiring DJ and publicly wondered who would win in a fight between Jon Snow and Daemon Targaryen. It was a fun little look into who the actor is and a reminder that while he might be able to give life to a villain, he is definitely a quirky guy in real life.

Matt Smith has taken on some very iconic roles over the last 15 years. And he seems to embrace these characters so fully that he seems to truly become the Doctor or Prince Philip or Daemon Targaryen. While we hope to see plenty more Daemon in House of the Dragon, we are also eagerly anticipating whatever comes next for Smith.

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