Olivia Cooke, who plays Alicent Hightower in the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, has opened up about dealing with hostile fans, her working-class background, and the importance of arts funding. The 32-year-old actor, who grew up in Oldham, spoke during an interview in London as the series prepares for its third season.
Fan reactions and real-world insults
Cooke noted that while many viewers appreciate her character, some are openly hostile. She described encounters where fans ask for a photo and then say, "I fucking hate your character, by the way," or worse. "I sort of laugh and say: 'Well, you can delete that picture,'" she said. "I don't know what you can do. I just try and take it in my stride." She deleted her Instagram six months ago, citing a feed full of "21-year-old looksmaxxers" that distorted her self-image.
Class and the arts
Cooke, who started at the Oldham Theatre Workshop at age eight, emphasized the need for more drama workshops in working-class areas. "There is a huge amount of talent to be found in these places, but you need to fund them," she said. "It can't just be the Harrow and Eton lot, because you're only going to get one side of the story." She added that without such groups, TV and film become "completely homogenised, and it's fucking boring." Her mother now tells her she's "not working class any more," but Cooke insists her sensibility remains working class.
House of the Dragon and Alicent's journey
In the series, Alicent Hightower has evolved from a pawn of the patriarchy to a more liberated figure. Cooke noted that queer women and non-binary viewers have found relatability in Alicent's unravelling. "Alicent is a product of the patriarchy," she said. "She's becoming liberated, in a sense." Despite being called "the saddest woman in Westeros," Cooke believes Alicent doesn't have time to reflect on her feelings. The series, based on George RR Martin's Fire & Blood, will end with a fourth season. Cooke confirmed that in the book, Alicent survives until the end, so "good behaviour-willing, I won't get the chop."
Other projects and the negroni meme
Cooke also reflected on her role in The Girlfriend, where she played estate agent Cherry Laine opposite Robin Wright. She noted that many viewers sided with Wright's character, a phenomenon she attributed to "boy mums." The series explored class snobbery, which Cooke described as "trying to cut through steel with a twig." She also addressed the viral negroni sbagliato meme from House of the Dragon promotions, calling it "bizarre" but good-natured. Upcoming projects include horror films Visitation and Brides, and a Patricia Highsmith biopic directed by Anton Corbijn.
