Entertainment
House of the Dragon, as Emma D’Arcy becomes Rhaenyra
How did Emma D’Arcy turn into Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen for House of the Dragon? To tell the team of make-up artists on set.
Many criticized House of the Dragon for the choice – and application – of stage wigs. Considered essential to the plot, icy blonde hairstyles have always defined the Targaryen dynasty, which is why the writers couldn’t have taken a different approach. Much like Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones, the cast of the prequel also had to adapt to the Targaryen setting by wearing prop wigs. Emma D’Arcy, who plays Princess Rhaenyra as an adult, also came up with long icy blonde hairstyles.
But his aesthetic was little challenged, unlike other set colleagues like Matt Smith and Paddy Considine. In particular, the appearance of Daemon Targaryen did very little to convince both the viewers and the interested party. Matt Smith, in more than one interview, explained that he would have preferred to avoid wigs, not so much for aesthetic judgment, but for the inconvenience caused. Emma D’Arcy, meanwhile, followed the example of Emilia Clarke, also from a specific cast.
How Emma D’Arcy Transforms into Rhaenyra from House of the Dragon
The baton passed into her hands through Milly Alcock, who played Princess Rhaenyra in the first five episodes of House of the Dragon. But the adult version has the features of Emma D’Arcy. To take care of her look on the set, it was makeup artist Amanda Knight, who narrated in the background the transformation of the actress into Princess Targaryen. As he told Vogue, “Emma was very cooperative. We talked a lot about who Rhaenyra is and when she should look more vulnerable, upset or younger, and when a straight face was needed.”
Thinking about what to do, the makeup artist explained from the start what her idea of the aesthetic was for Rhaenyra. An otherworldly look, “featuring fabulous glowing skin and a creamy complexion that pairs perfectly with the Targaryen blonde hair color palette.” And it seems the make-up artist was thrilled to learn the role had gone to Emma D’Arcy, whose colors and features match very well with her idea of the grown-up princess.
To turn the cast into the perfect House of the Dragon character, the makeup team seems to have drastically reduced backstage hours to an hour and a half of prep. How it works? To prepare for example Emma D’Arcy, the actress first covered her hair with a nude cap, in order to add after the wig. To prep skin, the makeup artist relied on her trusted kit of products to hydrate skin and help fight sweat. She added Chanel Hydra Beauty micro-serum to brighten the skin, Chanel foundation and to shape the Fenty Beauty Amber Stick. As for the wigs, Emma D’Arcy wanted over time to reduce the number, opting for the creations of Alex Rouse.