When Emma D’Arcy took on the role of Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, it immediately drew comparisons with Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. After that leading role, the then relatively unknown Clarke shot to global stardom, and she is now enjoying a successful career.
There’s a chance that the Oxford-educated D’Arcy could follow a similar trajectory, but it may rest upon whether House of the Dragon can enjoy the same success as its predecessor.
House of the Dragon is D’Arcy’s First Major Role
Despite taking on a hugely important role in the first major Game of Thrones spinoff, D’Arcy hasn’t starred in many television series or films prior to this. In fact, the only other major role they have had on television was in Truth Seekers in 2020.
Despite the relative lack of experience, there’s no doubt that the Ruskin School of Art graduate has been incredible in their portrayal of the Targaryen queen. Indeed, many critics have praised D’Arcy’s performance and have referred to them as the perfect lead for the HBO fantasy.
Clarke’s Success After Game of Thrones Should Be a Blueprint for D’Arcy
House of the Dragon hasn’t quite enjoyed the same success as Game of Thrones yet, but there’s plenty of time, as it’s still in its early days. The original series became a media phenomenon in its later years, as more related offerings were released to boost the franchise. For example, there were tabletop games and card games with the Game of Thrones branding, along with the Game of Thrones slot game. The latter can still be found in bingo casino game lists, highlighting its enduring popularity.
If the same thing happens with House of the Dragon, it could eventually become a sensation like the original. This would then give D’Arcy a springboard to follow in the footsteps of Clarke with other television roles and parts in Hollywood films.
Since appearing in Game of Thrones, Clarke has landed various huge roles, including the part of Sarah Connor in Terminator Genisys. Other roles on the big screen have included Me Before You and Last Christmas, and she’s set to soon take the lead in Next Life. On top of that, Clarke has taken on main roles in major series, including Secret Invasion and Ponies.
How Many Seasons of House of the Dragon Will There Be?
Before D’Arcy can try to replicate Clarke’s post-Game of Thrones success, they may first need to ensure that they finish House of the Dragon strongly. Filmmakers may still need to see more from D’Arcy before punting on them to carry major projects in Hollywood.
The third season of the Game of Thrones spinoff is set for release this year, but there have been long waits between each season of the show so far. The fourth season is said to be the last, but it may not drop until 2028 or 2029 at this rate.
Time is certainly on D’Arcy’s side, and they have proven to be more than capable of leading a major production. There’s no reason why the dragon-riding star can’t match Clarke’s success.
