The House of the Dragon saw a significant time shift in the middle of season one, which saw the protagonists’ young parts transform. Emma D’Arcy’s situation stands out since They have taken Milly Alcock’s place as the show’s primary star. D’Arcy is finally stepping into the role of Rhaenyra Targaryen, heir to the Iron Throne. D’Arcy has become well-known off-screen as one of the first non-binary persons to play a lead role in a big-budget tv show.
Emma D’Arcy has always been upfront and honest when answering questions regarding their identity. In an interview with EW, they said: “I identify as non-binary. The male and female identities have always drawn and repulsed me “.
I like playing women. I can do it well. The worst response is people suddenly telling me what I can and can’t do, I have all the tools necessary to play women. I lived as such for a long time ; people still think I’m one. It’s like, Let me do my job; I do it really well.
The actress also discussed how they could relate to Rhaenyra’s struggle to fit in with a culture that doesn’t accept her because of their gender. It was thrilling to have a young lady in the part who had such a keen awareness of how power systems operated and could see that someone like Daemon might live by entirely other rules than those she was given.
That urge to inhabit that space and pursue manly independence, as she sees males to, really resonated with me. In my early years, I experienced that, I had this kind of tangible awareness of what my life would be like if I were a child. So I think we had the same experience.
Non-binary representation in this industry is essential. Audiovisual fiction gradually embraces the values of social diversity that the public has come to expect. Although there is still more to be done, D’Arcy discussed the importance of gay representation in the media and the uncertainties they experienced when they first began their acting career.
There was definitely a point where I was like, ‘Oh no, this isn’t going to work. I definitely need to have long hair and makeup to do this job.’ And that’s just not true.
It’s complicated! In queer terms, the only good reason to be a public non-binary person, professionally, is that I hope it will let younger people who feel similar know that there is room in this industry for them.
