Emma D’Arcy thinks Daemon and Rhaenyra are ‘grooming’

Emma D’Arcy has commented on the “pampering” connection between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her uncle Daemon in “House of the Dragon.”

In episode four, Rhaenyra’s (Milly Alcock) sexually charged relationship with her uncle (Matt Smith) nearly results in the two engaging in sexual activity. Rhaenyra was 18 at the time, while Daemon was in his early 30s.

D’Arcy, who portrays Rhaenyra following a ten-year time jump in episode six, told the Independent that their relationship problems stemmed more from their age difference than their biological link.

The 30-year-old actor stated, “This is simply a case of grooming.” “The notion that a teenage girl may consent to such a sexual contact is absurd. In that connection, there is no way that power can be equally allocated.”

This is not the first time an incestuous connection has occurred in “Game of Thrones.”

In “House of the Dragon,” Daemon (Smith) and mature Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) appear.

Ollie Upton / HBO

D’Arcy added: “This is not something I know a great deal about, but I do know that people who share genetic material but did not grow up together can experience something really electrifying and sensual. This is always fascinating and risky, especially for young people. He opens up new possibilities for Rhaenyra, and I don’t sure about you, but I find that to be an incredibly beautiful trait in a person.”

In episode four, Daemon brings Rhaenyra to a brothel, where they engage in sexual activity until Daemon abandons the young princess. While some fans have speculated that the duo did engage in sexual activity during the moment, D’Arcy stated that Daemon “couldn’t follow through.”

The actor told the Independent, “It’s quite open to interpretation, but I believe impotence is a major topic in Daemon.”

Alcock, 22, told the New York Post earlier this month that she was “quite comfortable” recording the scene with Smith, 39.

She went on: “Our director, Clare Kilner, ensured that we had not viewed the brothel material before to filming. So, that was the first time we walked inside the brothel, and he is guiding her through the room with these other bodies. Thus, this was pretty surprising. You think, “This is odd and ridiculous.” There were extras whom we had just met who were 69-ing for around 12 hours. It’s quite unpleasant. We felt pretty overdressed because everyone else was nude.”

Sundays at 9 p.m. ET, new episodes of “House of the Dragon” air on HBO.