House of the Dragon, the HBO prequel to Game of Thrones, is facing renewed controversy as its third season premieres. The series has drawn criticism for an apparent age gap between lead actress Olivia Cooke, 32, and Tom Glynn-Carney, 31, who portray mother and son Alicent Hightower and Aegon II Targaryen, respectively. Cooke herself has commented on the situation, calling the age difference "odd" and questioning Hollywood's tendency to de-age female characters or cast younger actors opposite older actresses.

Cooke stated on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, "Does Hollywood just not want to see women age?" She acknowledged the age gap with Glynn-Carney, noting, "It's odd, isn't it?" and speculated, "Is it just the industry? Is it just Hollywood?" She humorously added, "Or maybe I'm just a fantastic actor. Let's go with that."

Beyond the age debate, the show has also been criticized for its "disturbing" plotlines. Some viewers and reviewers have found certain scenes to be particularly unsettling. One reviewer mentioned a scene in the early episodes of the current season that caused the audience to "gasp in unison" and felt "sickening."

Specifically, a scene in the first episode of the new season depicted Ewan Mitchell's character, Aemond, kissing his mother, Alicent (played by Cooke), on the lips. This moment sparked considerable reaction online, with one viewer calling it "the most disturbing scene in House of the Dragon" and another finding it "very awkward to watch."

Actors involved in the scene have also expressed their reactions. Ewan Mitchell described the kiss as "shocking" and "a difficult pill to swallow," adding that it reflects Aemond's "skewed love" due to a perceived lack of maternal affection in his upbringing. Mitchell viewed the scene as a "tremendous challenge" and an opportunity to explore Aemond's character further, praising Cooke's performance as a "masterclass."

Olivia Cooke described filming the scene as "quite odd for both of us," noting an "Oedipal undercurrent" that she believes was "unbeknownst to Alicent."

Showrunner Ryan Condal explained to Entertainment Weekly that Aemond's behavior stems from early trauma, suggesting that his actions are a manifestation of that experience and that he may not be able to separate his feelings for his mother from other "male feelings."

These controversies come after some fans expressed disappointment with the ending of the second season in August 2024, leading to calls for a boycott of the new season. The season two finale was criticized by some for lacking the expected spectacle, despite containing surprising plot developments, including the death of Rhaenyra Targaryen's son Lucerys Velaryon at the hands of Aemond Targaryen.

The series has a history of pushing boundaries. In 2022, an executive producer clarified comments about the depiction of sexual violence, stating that the show handles such instances "off-screen" and focuses on the aftermath and impact. The show has been noted for its "visceral gore, complex moral ambiguities, and unapologetic exploration of dark, Shakespearean family trauma."

Previously, the show faced racist backlash regarding the casting of Black actor Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon. Toussaint responded by highlighting the historical presence of people of color and questioned why audiences accept fantastical elements like dragons but not diverse casting. He emphasized that the show adapts George R.R. Martin's books and takes liberties for dramatic purposes.

House of the Dragon airs weekly on HBO and is available for streaming on HBO Max and other platforms. The series is adapted from Martin's 2018 book "Fire & Blood."