Milly Alcock, the Australian actress who brought the young Rhaenyra Targaryen to life in the acclaimed Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the Dragon, faced an unexpected challenge early in her tenure on the show. Just two days into filming, a high-ranking individual on set suggested she needed an acting coach. Alcock shared this humbling experience during an appearance on The Tonight Show, expressing her initial mortification. "On my second day on House of the Dragon, one of the, I'm not gonna say who, but someone very high up, pulled me aside and was like, 'Um, we're gonna get you an acting coach,'" she recounted, adding that the incident left her feeling that she might not be suited for the role.

Despite this rocky start, Alcock's portrayal of the young Targaryen princess garnered significant attention and praise. She humorously reflected on the situation, saying, "It just confirmed everything that I've kind of known to be true, [which] is that I'm not very good at my job," though it was clear she was joking about her self-doubt. Her performance as Rhaenyra, King Viserys I Targaryen's daughter and heir, was a series regular in Season 1 and saw her return as a guest star in Season 2, which chronicles the decline of House Targaryen. Emma D'Arcy steps into the role for the adult version of the character, who ascends to become Queen.

House of the Dragon premiered in August 2022, marking a significant event just over three years after the final episode of the original Game of Thrones series. The series quickly gained traction, securing a second season renewal shortly after its debut and a third season in June 2024, even before Season 2 began airing. The show's success was further cemented with a Golden Globe win for Best Television Series — Drama.

Looking ahead, Alcock is set to expand her repertoire by taking on the role of Kara Zor-El / Supergirl in the upcoming Superman movie this summer and in next year's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. As for the eagerly anticipated third season of House of the Dragon, while it is confirmed to be in the works, an official release date has yet to be announced.