Clinton Liberty, a 28-year-old actor from the small Irish village of Laytown in County Meath, recalls the exact moment he saw Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon in House of the Dragon. 'I remember seeing Steve Toussaint on the screen, and having this really sharp thought of, “I can do that. I just need an opportunity. I just need a shot,”' he tells Metro. 'Asking the universe for a shot, and wondering how a kid from this small village in Laytown can go there. Then lo and behold, the opportunity came.'
From Self-Tape to Dragonrider
Liberty sent in a self-tape filmed at his mother's home and was cast as Addam of Hull from season two. Addam, an illegitimate son of Corlys Velaryon, is chosen by the dragon Sea Smoke in a standout scene. 'He kind of mirrors my life,' Liberty says. 'For Addam, being a normal person and then being transported into a greater height, it’s the exact same thing as me being from the village in Laytown, and then being on the biggest show in the world, which is also my favourite show and favourite franchise of all time. So, yeah, I hear you.'
The Dragon-Chasing Scene
The moment Sea Smoke chooses Addam occurs in season two episode six, when Rhaenyra Targaryen seeks commonfolk with Targaryen ancestry. Unlike other riders, Addam is pursued by the dragon while going about his day. Liberty filmed the scene on a beach in Wales, reminiscent of his hometown beach. 'There was a point in the day where I was like, “I’m literally living my dreams right now,”' he recalls. 'I wish I could speak to 16, 17-year-old Clinton watching Game of Thrones for the first time and tell him that, “Dude, one day you’re gonna be riding a dragon; you’re gonna be chosen by a dragon.” It was so surreal; it was such a pinch-me moment. I will never forget what that day felt like to me. Genuinely.'
Season Three Dilemmas
In season three, Addam faces a moral crossroads after Rhaenyra refuses to legitimize him and his brother Alyn, despite their father Corlys's request. 'He feels like he’s been let down, because the one thing he’s ever wanted his whole life, him and his brother Alyn, has been to be legitimised,' Liberty explains. 'It’s kind of like someone looking you in the face and saying, “Your lifelong dream, I will not grant, and I’m not giving you any specific reasons why.”' Addam must decide whether to betray his moral code for family validation or stay true to himself. 'It’s a big dilemma for him,' Liberty adds.
Real-Life Brotherhood and Inspiration
Liberty shares a close bond with co-star Abubakar Salim, who plays Alyn. He had admired Salim's voice work in Assassin's Creed before they met. Additionally, Simon Russell Beale, who plays Ser Simon Strong, inspired Liberty's acting career. 'I was watching the National Theatre Live, and I remember I was in fifth year in Ireland, and we were watching it in our English class, we were studying Shakespeare, King Lear, and guess who was on the TV? It was Simon Russell Beale,' Liberty says. 'I remember telling my English teacher David Hopkins, I was like, “That’s the kind of acting I want to do.”' Years later, Liberty found himself sitting beside Beale at the read-through. 'Out of everyone, I fangirled the most over Simon Russell Beale,' he admits.
Gratitude and Camaraderie
Liberty emphasizes the genuine care among the cast, particularly with Tom Bennett and Kieran Bew, who play Ulf and Hugh. 'We genuinely care about each other and love each other’s families,' he shares. 'I remember so many days, for two hours plus, we’d just be sitting outside our trailers and talking about our lives and our journey up until this point, and how grateful we were to be a part of something so big, and that gratitude we share.'
House of the Dragon is available on HBO Max, Sky, and NOW, with new episodes released on Mondays.
