While House of the Dragon has always been a saga of war and family betrayal, it's also carved out a space for the supernatural. Season 2 introduced us to Harrenhal, a castle with a dark past that messes with the minds of its occupants, and to Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), the enigmatic woman who seems to be its keeper. Her connection with Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) has grown into something deeply twisted, especially after he collapses at her feet following a brutal act. Now, with Alicent's arrival and a clutch of dragon eggs in play, Alys's true intentions are more mysterious than ever.
In a recent interview, Rankin delved into her character's psyche, revealing that Alys is far more aware than she lets on. When asked about Aemond's disturbing vision of his mother, Rankin noted that Alys's role is often misread. "It's so interesting how people perceive that," she said, referencing the intimate scene between Alys and Alicent. "I think it opens something up about Alys, about how much she knows, actually, and how much she's just reacting like a normal person who cares about someone in a non-manipulative way." She added that the witchcraft element is "a rich metaphor for power," which complicates everything.
One of the episode's standout moments is the awkward dinner scene, where Aemond reaches for both Alys's and Alicent's hands. Rankin revealed that this was a spontaneous choice by Ewan Mitchell on the day of filming. "Ewan just pulled that on the day," she laughed. "We were just like, 'You sick, sick, sick boy.'" The scene was meant to feel "weird and freaky," and the cast leaned into that, especially since Rankin rarely gets to share scenes with other women. Working with Olivia Cooke, a close friend, was a giddy experience.
The relationship between Alys and Aemond has become a form of "trauma bonding," as Rankin describes it. They've been isolated together in Harrenhal, and their dynamic has evolved into something that feels almost domestic, complete with sniping and unspoken communication. When Alys tells Aemond to fetch more firewood, it's a subtle power move that shows how comfortable they've become. "They've been alone, and I think it's become a real trauma bonding," she said, comparing it to a couple stranded together during COVID.
But Alys's suspicions about Alicent go beyond mere intuition. Rankin believes it's a mix of natural instinct and supernatural ability. "It's a bit of both," she explained. "It starts to blur into that comedic, kind of relatable thing of just like, 'I don't like your mother. Something's up with your mom.'" Yet there's a deeper sadness to it, as Alys senses the profoundly broken dynamic between Aemond and his mother.
The callback to Aemond's first collapse at Alys's feet, where she mutters "idiot" under her breath, is a moment Rankin treasures. "That response is actually really endearing and really loving," she said. "It feels like marriage." The scene was one of the first they shot, and capturing that mix of exasperation and affection was a challenge, but it's become a fan favorite.
As for the dragon eggs, Rankin remains tight-lipped about Alys's ultimate plan, but she hints that her character is playing a long game. "Alys is always thinking several steps ahead," she teased. "She's not just a passive observer; she's actively shaping events." With the war escalating and alliances shifting, Alys's endgame could be the key to everything.
For fans of the show, the mystery of Alys Rivers is one of the most compelling threads. If you're hungry for more fantasy epics, check out our list of fantasy epics that rival House of the Dragon. And for those who love a good twisted family drama, Master of the House on Netflix might be your next obsession.
