Milly Alcock, the Australian actress who brought to life the young version of Rhaenyra Targaryen in the acclaimed spinoff series House of the Dragon, faced a challenging start to her role. Early into her stint on the show, Alcock was approached by someone in a high-ranking position who suggested she needed acting coaching. "On my second day on House of the Dragon, one of the, I’m not gonna say who, but someone very high up, pulled me aside and was like, ‘Um, we’re gonna get you an acting coach,’" Alcock shared during her recent appearance on The Tonight Show, admitting she felt "mortified" by the feedback.

Despite the initial setback, Alcock humorously reflected on the incident, saying it confirmed her self-doubt about her acting abilities. "It just confirmed everything that I’ve kind of known to be true, [which] is that I’m not very good at my job," she quipped, adding, "You know what I mean! I was like, ‘I can’t do this. This is terrible. This is a big mistake.’"

Alcock's portrayal of Rhaenyra, the daughter and heir of King Viserys I Targaryen, has been a key part of the series. She appeared as a series regular in Season 1 and as a guest star in Season 2, which explores the decline of House Targaryen. The role of the adult Rhaenyra is played by Emma D’Arcy, who depicts her journey to becoming Queen.

Milly Alcock plays Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images.

House of the Dragon premiered in August 2022, shortly after the final episode of the original Game of Thrones series. The show's success led to a swift renewal for a second season just days after its debut, and in June 2024, it was greenlit for a third season even before Season 2 began airing. The series also clinched the Golden Globe for Best Television Series — Drama, underscoring its impact and popularity.

Looking ahead, while Season 3 of House of the Dragon is confirmed, an official release date has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, Alcock is set to expand her portfolio with roles as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl in this summer's Superman movie and the upcoming Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow next year, showcasing her versatility and rising star in the entertainment industry.