D’Arcy, age 30, did not initially intend to become an actor; they studied Fine Art at Oxford’s Ruskin School of Art. During their tenure, they directed and performed in several theatre shows.
Then, following graduation, D’Arcy got roles in a number of London plays, including “The Crucible” and “Romeo and Juliet.” This finally led them to the 2018 BBC miniseries “Wanderlust,” in which they portrayed Toni Collette’s daughter in the role of a therapist.
In addition, they had roles in the pageant film “Misbehavior,” the film “Truth Seekers” alongside Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and the adaptation of the Graham Swift novel “Mothering Sunday.”
Emma D’Arcy roles
Prior to their portrayal as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, Emma D’Arcy had a variety of television roles.
They featured opposite Nick Frost in the comedic horror series Truth Seekers on Amazon Prime Video, the BBC/Netflix series Wanderlust, and the second season of the drama series Hanna on Amazon Prime Video.
D’Arcy has portrayed characters in the films Misbehaviour and Mothering Sunday.
When their casting in 2021’s House of the Dragon was confirmed, D’Arcy’s popularity increased substantially.
Here’s how D’Arcy came to star in ‘House of the Dragon’
Rhaenyra Targaryen, daughter of King Viserys and heir to the Iron Throne, is portrayed by D’Arcy. Rhaenyra has been compared to Daenerys Targaryen from “Game of Thrones” because she shares her ferocity and the conviction that she will be the first woman to sit on the Iron Throne.
According to Entertainment Weekly, when D’Arcy auditioned for “House of the Dragon,” they believed they were auditioning for a “Game of Thrones” “rip-off” rather than an official spin-off.
They submitted a “very quick audition tape” recorded on an iPhone propped up by a bag of chips. Multiple Zoom calls with “House of the Dragon” co-creators Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik followed, as did a breakthrough role.
What does D’Arcy say about their role as Rhaenyra?
D’Arcy adds to The Hollywood Reporter, “Rhaenyra has a continuing struggle with what it means to be a woman and is really an outsider. She is frightened of becoming a mother and is aware that her position would be different if she were a man.
They said, “I identify as nonbinary. I’ve always been attracted to and repulsed by masculine and feminine identities, and I believe that is accurately shown here. She cannot appear in court with the same ease as others.”
In a statement cited by The Indian Express, D’Arcy is described as saying, “She’s living numerous falsehoods simultaneously, thinking she’s getting away with it, but eventually, no one believes her.” When Viserys names her heir, there is an agreement that she will have to change, but she never receives this knowledge; therefore, her prior behaviors are met in a completely different manner.
Her father is the subject of a type of territorial conflict. She has a strong yearning to be part of the family that she cannot completely satisfy. This worry of the ill will being fed to her father by Alicent is so prevalent that it rests on her, and it is what now binds her to King’s Landing and prevents her from leaving,” the source continues.
