Just two episodes into House of the Dragon Season 3, and the Dance of the Dragons is already shifting into high gear. Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith) have made their move on King's Landing, but Alicent (Olivia Cooke) has cleverly redirected Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) to Harrenhal, throwing a wrench in their plans. The Kinslayer's arrival at the largest castle in Westeros is unforgettable—especially when it ends with him bleeding out on the floor at the feet of the silent Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin).
In an interview ahead of the season premiere, Mitchell and Rankin sat down to discuss that shocking moment, as well as the dark, complex romance brewing between their characters. They also touched on Aemond's unsettling kiss with Alicent in Episode 1, Alys's power play for Harrenhal, and the eerie atmosphere that makes the castle feel like the "White Lotus of Westeros."
Aemond's Power Move and a Kiss Too Far
Mitchell explained that Aemond's kiss with Alicent was driven by his newfound dominance as the de facto king of Team Green. "He wants to assume the leadership role of this family," Mitchell said. "He's the daddy now." But the actor acknowledged that Aemond's twisted understanding of love—shaped by a childhood devoid of affection—led him to cross a line. "That kiss was probably a little too far," he admitted.
Alys's "Breakup" with Daemon
Rankin revealed that Alys's conversation with Daemon about taking control of Harrenhal felt like a "breakup." After their deep connection in Season 2, Alys believed Daemon saw her and understood her needs. But when he fails to support her bid for stewardship, she's deeply disappointed. "I think she thought she could really trust him," Rankin said. "He misses the mark, and she's like, 'Okay, I see you.'"
The actress also hinted at Alys's prophetic abilities, suggesting she may have foreseen Aemond's arrival. "She imagined there was a Targaryen, a blonde, long-haired man on his way," Rankin said. "Maybe she thought it was Daemon, but someone's coming."
A Bloody Meet-Cute
When it comes to Aemond and Alys's first meeting, both actors described it as a "sick meet-cute." Aemond arrives at Harrenhal covered in blood after killing Simon Strong, and Alys simply watches him bleed out in silence. "Not a great first impression," Mitchell joked. "Love at first sight."
Rankin added that there's an undeniable charge between the two characters. "There's something like a sick meet-cute about it," she said. "It's the darkest, romantic, or complex meeting of matches. There's a curiosity, and something clicks in about, 'Are we keys to one another's next step?'"
For fans of the books, this relationship is a long-awaited development. As the season unfolds, Harrenhal's Gothic horror—already a highlight of Season 2—promises to deepen, with Aemond and Alys at its center. Check out our full interview above for more insights, including Mitchell's thoughts on Aemond's journey and Rankin's take on Alys's magical side.
