Paddy Considine and Matt Smith discuss the “extremely difficult relationship” between their characters Viserys and Daemon in House of the Dragon. House of the Dragon is a Game of Thrones spinoff that follows the struggles of the House Targaryen two centuries before the death of the mad king.
In the series, Considine plays Viserys Targaryen, facing Matt Smith as his brother Daemon Targaryen. Ryan J. Condal and the original creator of the series George R. R. Martin collaborated on House of the Dragon.
Daemon and Viserys Targaryen’s complicated relationship
Considine now sheds light on one of the House of the Dragon’s most contentious relationships, that of King Viserys and Prince Daemon. The Peaky Blinders actor describes his and Smith’s roles as “total opposites” in a recent interview He then goes on to detail the debate over Daemon’s role as heir to the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon.
The Viserys actor further goes on to say that “They’re complete opposites. I think Daemon has that destructive gene that the Targaryens have. I think Daemon craves approval more than [he] seeks to be king.” He says,
“Viserys is constantly making excuses for Daemon and defending Daemon. And he says to him, “I’m your only ally. You don’t show up to the council. There’s a seat but you never show up. I’m your only ally in that room. And you betrayed me with these words.” Viserys is deeply hurt by Daemon. It’s a very difficult relationship.”
This was met by Matt Smith’s response where he agrees with Considine about Prince Daemon’s less ambition for the throne and more of an affection for his brother, the king of the Iron Throne. The Morbius actor further states that,
“I think he’s[Daemon] just really frustrated at his brother. He wants to shake him and go ‘Wake up! I love you more than everyone else, I love you more than everyone else.'”
Considine’s explanation of the two characters is based on the notion of internal and external struggle. On one level, both Daemon and Viserys seem to be full of paradoxes. Daemon wants the power of the king but not the throne, preferring to remain with his brother, whilst Viserys is “deeply hurt by Daemon” but wants him to be happy. These internal issues, in turn, drive their exterior conflict, resulting in the pair’s “very difficult relationship.”
Daemon Targaryen’s future in House of the Dragon
Spoilers ahead!!
Daemon, despite being partly rehabilitated by his marriage to the ultimate pragmatist in Rhaenyra, retains a viciousness that should be dreaded. Daemon incapacitates Vaemond Velaryon’s head in two in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8 for publicly doubting the authenticity of Rhaenyra’s children from her first marriage.
Daemon is the rider and owner of a duty-bound dragon, and he personally raises more dragon eggs from Rhaenyra’s dragon Syrax, which may provide helpful weaponry in the looming Targaryen civil war. The promo for House of the Dragon episode 9 shows King’s Landing splintering amid Viserys’ absence.
With the completion of King Viserys and Daemon’s fraternal arc, the House of the Dragon is officially set for the Dance of the Dragons. House of the Dragon is streaming on HBO Max.
Source: Twitter
