Gayle Rankin, the actress portraying Alys Rivers in HBO's "House of the Dragon," has confirmed that her character is over 400 years old and has a particular fascination with Aemond Targaryen, whom she described as having her "a little dickmatized." The revelations came in a recent interview discussing the unfolding storyline of the Targaryen civil war.
Rankin elaborated on the unique dynamic between Alys and Aemond, acknowledging the perceived awkwardness and unusual nature of their interactions, even drawing comparisons to the Netflix show "Love on the Spectrum." She explained that Alys's isolation over centuries has left her with underdeveloped social skills, contributing to the oddity of her courtship. "She doesn't really know, she doesn't have a lot of social skills, so I think it’s definitely giving spectrum, and it’s giving intimidation, too, and flirtation and all of that," Rankin stated.
The actress also addressed Alys's mystical abilities, suggesting a blend of genuine magic and shrewd wisdom. She estimated Alys's capabilities to be about 70% magic and 30% practical know-how. Rankin also confirmed that Alys had been withholding knowledge of a cache of dragon eggs, waiting for the opportune moment and the right person to share it with, implying that Aemond is that person.
Regarding Alys's costume changes, particularly after the death of Ser Simon Strong, Rankin acknowledged fan observations. While not the explicit intention, she found the fan theory of Alys repurposing Strong's wardrobe amusing and indicative of her character's resourceful nature. The costume designer, Caroline McCall, was working within the established aesthetic of the Strong House.
The interview also touched upon the potential for conflict at Harrenhal, with the Freys seeking control of the stronghold. Rankin hinted that no one is leaving Harrenhal soon and that significant defenses are in place, making it a difficult place to infiltrate unless one possesses a dragon.
The "House of the Dragon" season finale is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, August 9, on HBO and HBO Max.