“There’s a lot of ugliness to that fandom as well,” said Olivia Cooke, who stars as Queen Alicent Hightower in HBO’s House of the Dragon.
The actress deactivated her social media accounts ahead of the series’ season three premiere in June, citing a toxic environment that she found increasingly difficult to navigate.
Cooke described the fan discourse as “steeped in misogyny” and “racism,” noting that she prefers to let such commentary occupy “minimal mental real estate,” according to an interview with GQ. “I think some of those interpretations just catch fire, and they become something that bears no resemblance to what was shown on the screen at the time,” Cooke told GQ.
The actress expressed frustration with the “celebri-fied nature” of the industry, which she believes has transformed acting into a pursuit of branding rather than artistic creation, GQ reported. She explained that the constant pressure to maintain a social media presence was “not nourishing” for her mental health.
Beyond the online vitriol, the House of the Dragon fanbase has previously been criticized for aggressive behavior toward cast members. Steve Toussaint, who plays Corlys Velaryon, reported receiving “racist abuse” after his casting was announced, as noted by The Guardian. Additionally, Lena Headey shared her shock at the anger directed toward her during the original Game of Thrones run, particularly regarding her use of a body double for a scene.
Cooke is not the first actor from the franchise to speak about the psychological toll of public scrutiny. Sophie Turner, who starred as Sansa Stark, told Flaunt that the intense social media attention following her breakout role “almost destroyed” her on multiple occasions. Turner said that she had a few years of relative privacy before the digital landscape shifted, forcing her to adjust to the constant influx of public opinion.
Cooke used her platform to defend her colleagues, including director Clare Kilner. She said that Kilner’s leadership style proves that a director does not need to “stomp around the set” or “exert testosterone” to be effective, opting instead for a culture of “kindness and care,” according to GQ Hype.
The public discourse surrounding the show often centers on plot developments, such as the controversial incestuous themes and character screen time that generated significant social media outcry during recent seasons. Despite the intensity of the fanbase and the recurring issues with online toxicity, the production is nearing its conclusion. Showrunner Ryan Condal confirmed in August that House of the Dragon will conclude with its upcoming fourth season.
Why did Olivia Cooke leave social media?
“I think the celebri-fied nature of being an actor has now snowballed into this monster,” Cooke said, explaining that she deactivated her accounts because she found the online environment “not nourishing” and felt the pressure to maintain a digital brand had become a “monster” that distracted from the creative nature of her work.
What specific behaviors have cast members faced?
Actors have reported various forms of harassment, including racist abuse directed at Steve Toussaint and intense anger toward Lena Headey for her use of a body double. These experiences, combined with the general vitriol found in online discourse, prompted Cooke to distance herself from the platforms.
When does House of the Dragon conclude? The series will conclude after its fourth season, as confirmed by showrunner Ryan Condal in August.