House of the Dragon star Matt Smith teases a different mindset for Daemon Targaryen in season 2. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the hit Game of Thrones spinoff show premiered in 2022, chronicling the onset of the Targaryen civil war. Smith’s Daemon played a crucial role during the events of season 1 and proved to be something of a hot head. Daemon is now set to return in House of the Dragon season 2, which premieres on Max this month.
During a recent interview with CBS Mornings, Smith comments on Daemon’s changed mindset heading into House of the Dragon season 2.
According to the actor, audiences can expect some major changes to Daemon as he becomes affected by some personal demons. Check out Smith’s full comment below:
“He sort of tumbles into anonymity in a way. He gets softer, lazier, fatter, slower. And he’s sort of haunted by his demons, really, by ghosts, by apparitions, by his own sense–the weight of all the bad deeds that he’s done really come home to roost, so to speak. And I think he becomes more exposed, really, in a way.”
What Daemon’s Changes Mean For House Of The Dragon Season 2
Matt Smith’s Character Was A Crucial Player In Season 1
Daemon was one of the most exciting characters in the well-reviewed House of the Dragon season 1 because of just how unpredictable and somewhat wild he was. A standout moment for the character, for example, is when he essentially single-handedly takes down the Crabfeeder. There are numerous other moments throughout the season, as well, where he demonstrates just how prone to violence he is and how ruthless he can be to those who stand in the way of his ambitions.
After the death of Luke (Elliot Grihault) in the House of the Dragon season 1 finale, the conflict between the Greens and the Blacks is sure to only escalate. Season 1’s Daemon is clearly someone valuable to have on-side during a war due to his combat proficiency and penchant for violence, but his changed attitude in season 2 may make him less of an asset. If Daemon has lost some of that edge that he had in season 1, he may actually end up being more of a liability for Rhaenyra.
That being said, however, Daemon was far from an honorable and just knight in season 1, and reckoning with his past misdeeds could see him turn another leaf. It’s hard to imagine House of the Dragon season 2 transforming Daemon too significantly in this regard, and he’s sure to remain a slippery figure, but it would be interesting to see a version of the character who seeks some form of atonement. In any case, it sounds like audiences are in for a different version of Daemon when House of the Dragon returns.