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The Rise of a Working-Class Star Olivia Cooke, who plays the scheming Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, has experienced a meteoric rise from her working-class roots in Oldham to international stardom. At just 32, she has built an impressive resume spanning from Bates Motel to Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One, but her role in the Game of Thrones prequel has been a gamechanger. Despite her success, Cooke maintains a down-to-earth perspective, evidenced by her father's casual approach to her work - he recently texted her about starting a binge-watch of the series with the simple review: "Yes, I like it. Quite violent." The Complex Character of Alicent Hightower House of the Dragon, based on George RR Martin's Fire & Blood, follows Alicent's journey from childhood best friend of Rhaenyra Targaryen to queen who betrays her by marrying Rhaenyra's father, King Viserys. The character has been divisive among fans, particularly in earlier seasons when she worked against Rhaenyra's claim to the throne. Cooke has noted that Alicent has recently become a focal point for queer women and non-binary viewers, who see in her a product of the patriarchy who is beginning to experience "an unravelling of everything that she's learned, and she's becoming liberated, in a sense." Fame and Fan Reactions The intense popularity of House of the Dragon has brought Cooke both adoration and vitriol from fans. "It can be quite vitriolic at times," she admits, noting that people will approach her for photos only to later express their hatred for her character. Cooke has developed a thick skin, responding to such encounters with humor: "I sort of laugh and say: 'Well, you can delete that picture.'" She also recently deleted her Instagram account, citing the negative impact of social media on mental health and her frustration with the "looksmaxxer" culture that promotes unrealistic physical transformations. Unexpected Viral Moments During the promotion of House of the Dragon, Cooke and co-star Emma D'Arcy became internet memes when a clip of them discussing their favorite drinks went viral. D'Arcy mentioned their preference for a "negroni sbagliato (with prosecco in it)" to which Cooke replied, "Ooh, stunnin'." The moment took Cooke by surprise, noting that in our "attention-deficit economy," this brief exchange became what she was "most notable for" despite a wide-ranging career. She handled the meme status with characteristic humor and a touch of contrariness. Class and Privilege in Entertainment Cooke's recent role in The Girlfriend, where she played an estate agent from a poor family navigating the wealthy world of her boyfriend's mother, allowed her to explore themes of class and privilege. "To try to get into those networks, it's like trying to cut through steel with a twig," she poetically describes the experience. Despite her success, Cooke remains aware of the barriers faced by those from working-class backgrounds in the entertainment industry. "There is a huge amount of talent to be found everywhere," she asserts. "It can't just be the Harrow and Eton lot." Future Projects and Perspectives As House of the Dragon prepares for season three, where Alicent's character will continue her complex journey, Cooke continues to take on diverse roles. She approaches each character with nuance and depth, avoiding the trap of being typecast. Her decision to step back from social media reflects her commitment to maintaining mental health in an industry that often demands constant visibility. With her talent, work ethic, and down-to-earth perspective, Cooke appears poised for continued success while staying true to her roots and values.