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Game of Thrones spin-off star's surprising X-rated admission: 'Too much'

Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon is set to premiere later this month with star Matt Smith recently sharing a surprising admission about the show.

The actor, who plays Prince Daemon Targaryen on the show, revealed to Rolling Stone UK that he wasn't so sure that many of the sex scenes he filmed were entirely necessary to the story.

Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon star Matt Smith has shared a surprising admission about the show's sex scenes. Photo: HBO
Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon star Matt Smith has shared a surprising admission about the show's sex scenes. Photo: HBO

"You do find yourself asking, 'Do we need another sex scene?'" the actor said. "And they’re like, 'Yeah, we do.' I guess you have to ask yourself: 'What are you doing? Are you representing the books, or are you diluting the books to represent the time [we’re living in]?' And I actually think it’s your job to represent the books truthfully and honestly, as they were written."

When asked if he believed there were too many sex scenes in the show, he jokingly responded, "Yeah – slightly too much, if you ask me."

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Miguel Sapochnik, who is showrunner and also directed a few episodes of the show, previously told The Hollywood Reporter that House of the Dragon would "pull back" on sex scenes, but would still feature sexual violence.

"If anything, we're going to shine a light on that aspect," he said. "You can't ignore the violence that was perpetrated on women by men in that time. It shouldn't be downplayed and it shouldn't be glorified."

However, executive Sara Hess later clarified in an interview with Vanity Fair how the sexual violence would be handled onscreen, "I'd like to clarify that we do not depict sexual violence in the show."

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Photo: HBO
Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Photo: HBO

"We handle one instance off-screen, and instead show the aftermath and impact on the victim and the mother of the perpetrator."

House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and focuses on the Targaryen rule of Westeros.

Speaking to Empire Magazine star Emma D'Arcy, who plays Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in her adult years, shared that the show is a "different animal".

"I think we’d be really naive if we tried to mimic or emulate Game Of Thrones," they shared. "I think the thing that’s distinct, and something I love about this season, is that it’s really rooted in the home. It’s domestic, it’s psychological, it’s interpersonal, it’s familial."

Olivia Cooke, who plays Rhaenyra’s childhood friend Alicent Hightower, agreed, adding, "It feels more intensely focused on one extended family, rather than many other families."

She added, "It’s much more nuclear than the other TV show, but still incredibly thrilling and intense and all the things we were excited about when we watched Game Of Thrones."

For sexual assault and family and domestic violence support you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

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