It’s rare, but certain actors have the power to change the entire temperature of a series the moment they step on screen. Ewan Mitchell, who only entered season one of House of the Dragon in episode eight, is undoubtedly one of them.
In a show packed with a murderer’s row of seasoned talent, Mitchell’s villainous young prince Aemond Targaryen stole every scene he appeared in during the Game of Thrones prequel. But as a man of few words and a distinctive eye patch, Aemond remains something of an enigma, leaving Mitchell a lot of room to interpret exactly what makes his character tick for himself.
“I mean, it was Shakespeare who said that the eyes are the window to the soul,” Mitchell tells The National. “So what does it mean to only have one of them, and you’ve got a gemstone in the other eye socket? You have to compensate through your physicality.”
To find the right physicality for the role, Mitchell explains, he had to look to unlikely sources. Not from Game of Thrones – he never watched it, he reveals. Rather, he went into a different genre entirely.
“I took inspiration from '80s horror movie icons in Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers,” Mitchell explains, referencing the tenured antagonists of the franchises Friday the 13th and Halloween, respectively.
“They don’t necessarily say anything. It’s just the way that they walk. It’s the way that they inhabit a space – it’s terrifying. No matter how slow their stride, they always catch up with Jamie Lee Curtis [hero Laurie Strode in Halloween].
“I thought there was something interesting there that I wanted to bring to Aemond, especially in those scenes where he doesn’t necessarily say much. It’s through the walk – it’s the way that he owns the space around him. It’s quite scary. There’s this idea of inevitability. There’s no escaping Aemond Targaryen, which I’m curiously fascinated with.”
Filming the show’s coming second season, in which he is set to become a lead character, Mitchell finally settled into something of a routine, a process he revelled in.
“I just love to shapeshift," he adds. "I feel like I’m shedding skin at the beginning of the day the second I get out of the car and go through the process of hair and make-up and costume. Each part of that makes me feel like I’m peeling off another layer.
“Then, when I finally get to set and put the eyepatch on, I’m gone, and all that’s left is Aemond. The make-up and costume team are really quite good – it really does encourage you to abandon who you are.”
In some ways, Mitchell’s Aemond is the darkened mirror image of the character Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith (of Doctor Who and The Crown fame). The connection was not lost on Mitchell, particularly because he grew up just as fascinated by Smith in real life as Aemond is of Daemon.
“Aemon is Daemon’s biggest 'stan', so to speak," he says. "And I was a big fan of Doctor Who growing up. Matt brought electricity and vibrancy to the Doctor, this youthfulness that made it more accessible to me growing up. I dreamt of going on adventures with him as a kid.
“Aemond and Daemon are both princes who stand to inherit nothing but recognise what they want in life and have to go out and get it. Aemond wears the Targaryen black, the long blonde hair. It’s very reminiscent of the young Daemon you see in the earliest episodes of season one. He’s cultivated this image of Daemon, but he’s warped it and twisted it. I find that very interesting."
Even before they began filming together, Mitchell was aware of the power of their connection. He also knew that the first major interaction between the characters in season one would come in one of the show’s most significant scenes, in which all members of the Targaryen family unite for a dinner that ultimately pulls the family apart further.
To make that moment feel as impactful as possible, Mitchell consciously avoided eye contact with Smith on set until their characters finally interacted on screen at the family banquet, playing off his own idolisation of the actor.
“I thought there was something interesting in keeping Matt on that podium, the same way that Aemond keeps Damon on that podium,” says Mitchell.
“But I wanted to make sure everyone was OK with it. So I talked to [creator] Ryan Condal about it, and he was like: 'OK, let me chat with Matt.' I’m very grateful that everyone was on board, and I think it did bring something. It was like capturing lightning in a bottle when Aemond and Daemon face off.”
In many ways, Mitchell feels like an actor whose skills are tailor-made for the world of Game of Thrones. That synchronicity is curious, considering the fact that he deliberately never engaged with the series.
“I didn’t want it to inform my choices,” says Mitchell. “Whether consciously or subconsciously, I wanted to bring something fresh to the table. It’s one of the biggest shows ever, so I know bits and bobs, but I’ve never actually seen a full episode."
Judging from Mitchell’s impact on the series so far, perhaps he was right to study horror films instead. In one of the first season’s most chilling sequences, Aemond chases his cousin through the sky, each of them on dragons.
“That’s a chase sequence – it’s horror," he says. "There are jump scares when he protrudes through the clouds. It’s terrifying."
Will we be getting more such scenes in the second season? Mitchell can only tease.
“Maybe in season two you might see a few more of those terrifying sequences,” Mitchell smirks. “Maybe, I don’t know.”
House of the Dragon season two premiere is June 17 on OSN+ across the Middle East
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Blonde
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAndrew%20Dominik%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAna%20de%20Armas%2C%20Adrien%20Brody%2C%20Bobby%20Cannavale%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
SCORES
Yorkshire Vikings 144-1 in 12.5 overs
(Tom Kohler 72 not out, Harry Broook 42 not out)
bt Hobart Hurricanes 140-7 in 20 overs
(Caleb Jewell 38, Sean Willis 35, Karl Carver 2-29, Josh Shaw 2-39)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlanRadar%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2013%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIbrahim%20Imam%2C%20Sander%20van%20de%20Rijdt%2C%20Constantin%20K%C3%B6ck%2C%20Clemens%20Hammerl%2C%20Domagoj%20Dolinsek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVienna%2C%20Austria%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EConstruction%20and%20real%20estate%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400%2B%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20B%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Headline%2C%20Berliner%20Volksbank%20Ventures%2C%20aws%20Gr%C3%BCnderfonds%2C%20Cavalry%20Ventures%2C%20Proptech1%2C%20Russmedia%2C%20GR%20Capital%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
More on Quran memorisation:
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
Pakistan v New Zealand Test series
Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza
New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner
Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am
MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs: 2018 Honda City
Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
READ MORE ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
