Paddy Considine was thrilled to return to House of the Dragon "one last time"

Ever since Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) arrived at the crumbling, haunted castle of Harrenhal, he's been having spooky dreams and nightmares. To be completely honest, I'm getting a little tired of the constant trips inside Daemon's head, but it does allow the show to bring back characters from House of the Dragon season 1 we haven't seen in a long time. Milly Alcock returned as young Rhaenyra Targaryen, Nanna Blondell came back as Daemon's late wife Laena Velaryon, and Paddy Considine made an appearance as Daemon's brother King Viserys I Targaryen, who died at the end of the first season.

Considine's performance as the conflicted king was a highlight of the first season, so it was fun to see him back on the Iron Throne. He gave Daemon the exact same "heir for a day" speech he gave in the series premiere, although he delivered it differently. Later, he showed up in a kind of alternate reality dream where Daemon chose to comfort his brother following the death of his wife Aemma Arryn (Sian Brooke, who also returned to play a corpse for a few minutes) rather than plan his own ascension to the Iron Throne.

Writing on Instagram, Considine talked about how glad he was to return to the set: "It was brief, but I can’t tell you how happy I was to go back to @houseofthedragonhbo to see my old friends. I’ve really missed everyone. It was a chance to put the costume on one last time and say goodbye. I’ve honestly felt a little bereft not being a part of this show anymore. It gave me sense of purpose and responsibility I haven’t felt since. To my cast mates, I miss you all. It’s amazing to watch your roles grow and to see you fly. Some literally. Hannah Ecclestone and Christian Goddard, my make up and costume, you are the best. Huge love to Ryan Condal (thanks for the knife…) I couldn’t fit that statue in my garden, but the art department surprised me with my own sculpt. I will treasure it. Along with the great memories."

I imagine "the knife" Considine is talking about is the Valyrian steel dagger that passes from Targaryen to Targaryen through the generations; maybe showrunner Ryan Condal gave him one of the prop knifes. As for the statue he's talking about, check out the King Viserys bust in Considine's collage of pictures below:

That final picture of Considine and Smith with their arms around each other is a keeper.

Coinsidine doesn't appear to have any big projects on the way, but a man of his talents should hopefully be able to go out there and get any role he wants. Here's hoping he finds something else to give him "sense of purpose and responsibility." After his work on House of the Dragon, I know I'd at least take a look at anything he's in.

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