There are many similarities between Game of Thrones’ Cersei Lannister and House of the Dragon’s Alicent Hightower and one of them being is that both characters grew up almost in the same realm of patriarchy where they had to fight in a different manner to get what they want. As mothers, they are also inclined to protect their children, no matter the cost, no matter the problematic behavior of their children. However, House of the Dragon star Olivia Cooke responds to Alicent and Cersei comparison, “I do think they’re really different, though” in an interview with Variety.
“They’ll always be compared.” Says Cooke, “In online discourse, it tends to be more black and white of who’s the hero and the villain. I do think they’re really different though.”
The House of the Dragon star even jokingly comments about Cersei’s drinking, “I limited the amount of wine that I drank in scenes because I didn’t want the comparison to be too transparent.”
But overall, Olivia Cooke admits admiring Lena Headey’s Cersei. Her performance being the very reason why she was Cooke’s favorite character in Game of Thrones, because aside from seeing the similarities of both being a mother protecting their own children in spite of their problematic behavior, they would do anything to prevent them from harm:
“What Lena Headey did with Cersei was so brilliant. She was one of my favorite characters, because even though she’s reviled, she’s motivated by the enduring love for her children. In those parameters, they both will do anything for their children.”
Here’s where Olivia Cooke draws the line between the two, though. She describes Cersei as someone completely confident in every move they strike, whereas Cooke’s Alicent runs more on anxiety. Besides that, Cooke had previously mentioned how she doesn't see Alicent as a villain.
“I think Alicent is run on anxiety and self-doubt a lot more, and I don’t think Cersei has that at all. She completely believes in every blow she strikes. I don’t think Alicent has that at all. She’s been so beaten by the patriarchal system she’s in, by her children, by trying to endlessly make things right and to walk such a narrow, straight line. She’s put herself under such immense pressure. You can see Alicent fraying at the seams the whole time, whereas Cersei is so strong and formidable all the way through.”
House of the Dragon Season 2 has already been confirmed, but has not yet been given an official release date. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
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