“House of the Dragon”’s Tom Glynn-Carney Reveals Trick He Used to Remember Aegon’s Limp (Exclusive)

In the latest developments surrounding the acclaimed HBO series “House of the Dragon,” Tom Glynn-Carney, who portrays Aegon Targaryen, reveals the profound transformation his character undergoes in the upcoming third season. After enduring a brutal attack by his brother Aemond, played by Ewan Mitchell, Aegon emerges notably altered, both physically and emotionally. This transformation is central to the narrative and Glynn-Carney’s portrayal of the character.

Following the harrowing events of season two, where Aegon was violently assaulted in a dragon conflict, he faces the reality of being permanently crippled and disfigured. “There’s such a transformation that I go through every morning,” Glynn-Carney shared in a recent interview, highlighting the challenges posed by Aegon’s new physical state. After fleeing King’s Landing as a consequence of his injuries, Aegon’s character enters a new phase of vulnerability and complexity.

The repercussions of Aemond’s attack are vividly realised in season three as Aegon grapples with the aftermath while navigating the dangers of being on the run alongside Larys, portrayed by Matthew Needham. Glynn-Carney admits, “I kept forgetting to limp,” reflecting on the difficulty of embodying Aegon’s new reality consistently. To counter this, he devised a creative method by placing stones in his boot, a tactile reminder to physically embody the character’s struggles.

Describing his experience in the makeup chair, Glynn-Carney notes that the intense prosthetics serve as a constant reminder of Aegon’s condition and help maintain focus on the character’s emotional depth. “There’s a lot of fun in the transformation,” he remarked, emphasizing the collaborative process involved in bringing Aegon to life. With skilled experts around him, Glynn-Carney revels in the opportunity to explore and enhance his role in the series.

As the season progresses, audiences will witness different facets of Aegon’s personality, something that Glynn-Carney finds both satisfying and challenging. “We see him use his brain a little bit more than we used to,” he explained, suggesting that Aegon’s journey will involve a deeper exploration of his motivations and emotions. The narrative promises to provide viewers with a richer understanding of the character.

Despite his vulnerabilities, Aegon’s core ambition remains unchanged: he is determined to reclaim the Iron Throne and restore his place of power. Glynn-Carney elaborated on the intricate dynamics between Aegon, Aemond, and Rhaenyra, hinting at the intensity of their rivalries. He noted that Aemond poses an immediate threat, stirring the tension as the storyline unfolds, leading to a face-off filled with urgency.

“Aemond’s attack was definitely a catalytic moment in Aegon’s trajectory,” Glynn-Carney referred to the implications of their sibling conflict as it propels Aegon into the narrative’s centre stage. The second-season confrontation has amplified Aegon’s motivation to navigate both personal and political dangers, adding layers of intrigue to the forthcoming episodes.

With new episodes of “House of the Dragon” airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO, viewers can expect a dramatic exploration of themes surrounding power, rivalry, and personal transformation. Glynn-Carney, through his portrayal of Aegon, seeks to capture the complexity of a character that has evolved drastically since the series began, carefully threading emotional depth into the character’s physical transformation. The anticipation surrounding these developments promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats as the intricate world of Westeros continues to unfold.