Looks like the new Alicent Hightower is less of a goody two-shoes on “House of the Dragon.”
Olivia Cooke, 28, who will take over the role of the pious good girl Queen Alicent Hightower on “House of the Dragon” following a 10-year time jump in this Sunday’s sixth episode, had a wild night out before her first day on set.
During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Cooke said that she showed up to film the hit “Game of Thrones” prequel series with a killer hangover and even a “chipped tooth,” following a night out drinking with comedian Alan Carr.
“It was amazing and I was very hungover. Really bad. I never do that,” Cooke said. “I don’t remember getting home. I remember, I tipped my head down to put my hair in a pony[tail] and fell over. I woke up the next day and I had a chip in my tooth. A very slight chip, but enough that the tongue magnifies it. And you’re like, ‘What have I done?’ No one knew on set… until now.”
Cooke attending the “House of the Dragon” premiere. Getty Images
Cooke taking over the role of Hightower after a 10-year time jump on “House of the Dragon.” Ollie Upton / HBODuring the first five episodes of the show, the role of Hightower was played by Emily Carey, 19. Hightower is Princess Rhaenyra’s former best friend turned stepmother. She’s a people pleaser and an ultimate good girl: She’s pious and she’s very judgmental of Rhaenyra in the fourth episode when she hears that Rhaenyra had a wild night out and possibly had sex. In fact, Hightower is so holier-than-thou that she turns against Rhaenyra because of this.
So, needless to say, this behavior from Cooke is something that Hightower herself would turn her nose up at.
Alicent (Cooke) after the time jump on “House of the Dragon,” with her dad, Otto Hightower (Ifans). Ollie Upton/HBO
Queen Hightower (Cooke) and Princes Rhaenyra (also played by a new actor, Emma D’Arcy) after the time jump on “House of the Dragon.” Ollie Upton / HBOHightower was around 14 to 19 in the first few episodes of the show, when she was played by Carey. Now, as Cooke takes over the role, the character is around 30.
Cooke also said, “I wish Emily Carey was a bit more rubbish at her job, so I could come in and be like, ‘Don’t worry, guys, I’ve got this.’ ”
And she confessed that although she’s a “Game of Thrones,” fan now, she lied about it when she first got cast. Similar to Rhaenyra actress Milly Alcock, who is also being replaced post-time-jump, she said, “I watched it after I got the job, and I love it.”
