Who is Queen Alicent Hightower? Olivia Cooke and Emily Carey role explained
She might not be a Targaryen by blood, but there's fire in her veins!
It's always the quiet ones you have to look out for in the world of Game of Thrones, and in House of the Dragon, it's Alicent Hightower.
Introduced in the first season of the HBO fantasy drama as Lady Alicent Hightower, played by Emily Carey, the comely maiden at court would swiftly rise to become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms as the second wife of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine).
Despite being her childhood best friend, an adult Alicent (Olivia Cooke) became the chief rival of Viserys's eldest child, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy).
So, what else is there to know about Queen Alicent Hightower?
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Who is Queen Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon?
Alicent comes from a noble lineage as her father, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), was the Hand of the King and she grew up around nobility, becoming the Old King's companion in his later life.
Ser Otto continued his role when King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine) became king and often clashed with Viserys's younger brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).
Alicent story becomes more interesting following the death of Viserys's wife, Queen Aemma Arryn (Sian Brooke).
While she started having a close friendship with her future stepdaughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), it soon deteriorated once Alicent married King Viserys and started having children with him.
Viserys and Aemma never had a male heir, so Rhaenyra was chosen as the next ruler of the Seven Kingdoms (despite a hefty challenge from her uncle Prince Daemon).
That was until Queen Alicent gave birth to Prince Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), Princess Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban), Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), and Prince Daeron Targaryen after the other. Though Rhaenyra was still the named heir, Alicent (and her father Ser Otto) believed her sons should take the Iron Throne.
The rivalry between Alicent and Rhaenyra grew, and their children inherited their bitterness, even turning to violence.
As Viserys fell further into illness, Queen Alicent ruled alongside her father Ser Otto until Viserys died.
Before he died and after an apparent reconciliation between Alicent and Rhaenyra, Viserys deliriously spoke to Alicent of the dream of Aegon the Conqueror and Alicent mistakenly believed he was now saying he wished their son Aegon to ascend to the throne.
In the aftermath, Alicent and a loyal council moved to crown King Aegon II Targaryen - sparking a war with Rhaenyra who would not back down from her own claim, sparking a dangerous war.
As the second season opens, Dowager Queen Alicent wants to ensure her son's hold on the Iron Throne but as peacefully as possible - however, is more bloodshed and heartache inevitable?
Who is Olivia Cooke?
Olivia Cooke plays an adult Queen Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon.
She is perhaps best known for her role on ITV's Vanity Fair in 2018, where she played Becky Sharp.
Cooke also starred opposite Freddie Highmore as his (complicated) love interest in Bates Motel, where she played Emma Decody.
She is in the acclaimed Apple TV+ series Slow Horses, too, as Sidonie 'Sid' Baker.
Who is Emily Carey?
Emily Carey plays a young Lady Alicent Hightower in the opening of House of the Dragon.
Fans of Casualty will recognise her as Grace Beauchamp, a role she played between 2014 and 2021, but she also starred in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Geek Girl.
Carey has also starred in the likes of Tomb Raider as a young Lara Croft, Wonder Woman, and Netflix's Get Even.
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House of the Dragon premieres on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday 22nd August 2022. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.
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