When adopting a book on screen, it is very important to get the author’s approval. And it seems ‘House Of The Dragon‘ creators have just received a huge round of applause from author George R.R. Martin. The author has not only given his approval but is also very impressed with season 2 of the series.
Martin also praised the various actors on their work in his ‘Not a Blog’. One actor with whom he is exceptionally impressed is Phea Saban, who plays Queen Helaena Targaryen. Martin also praised the other actors Emma D’Arcy, Tom Glynn-Carney, Rhys Ifans, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Fabien Frankel, Eve Best and others as well.
George R.R. Martin Is All Praise For Phea Saban
‘House Of The Dragon’ season 2 so far has established that nothing can stop the civil war now. The secret conversation between Alicent and Rhaenyra did not help either. And in ‘Blood and Cheese‘, we see that Daemon Targaryen sends assassins to get Aemonds head. However, they kill young Prince Jaehaerys instead, Helaena’s son. And author George R. R. Martin was blown away by her “wrenching, powerful, heart-breaking performance.”
In his ‘Not A Blog’, he writes, “Saban’s performance is especially noteworthy; very little of what she brings to the part was in my source material.” He continued, “Last season HOUSE OF THE DRAGON essentially recreated King Viserys, giving him a much different backstory and far more depth than the jolly party-loving king I created for FIRE & BLOOD….The HotD team have done the same thing here with Helaena.”
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Helaena’s Character On Screen Is Very Different From The Books
Like many things on the show, George R. R. Martin points out how Helaena’s character is different in the books and the series. However, Martin is very happy with the changes. “In the book, she is a plump, pleasant, and happy young woman, cheerful and kindly, adored by the smallfolk,” Martin explains.
“None of the strangeness she displays in the show was in evidence in the book, nor is her gift for prophecy. Those were born in the writers’ room,” Martin continues. He also says, “…but once I met the show’s version of Helaena, I could hardly take issue.” Martin adds, “Phia Saban’s Helaena is a richer and more fascinating character than the one I created in FIRE & BLOOD, and in “Rhaenyra the Cruel” you can scarcely take your eyes off her.”
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