HBO’s new series “House of The Dragon” must reclaim viewers’ interest after the latest time jump replaces two fan-favorite actresses, Milly Alcock and Emily Carey, for their roles as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower. 

The new cast members include Emma D’arcy and Olivia Cooke, who are well aware of the big shoes they need to fill for the rest of the season. In a recent interview with The Independent, D’arcy reflected on her new role and the impact Alcock leaving the series had on fans, “It’s a difficult point at which to meet an audience. They only get me when they lose Milly, so they meet me in a place of grief.”

The bold decision had been planned by directors from the start, and viewers have already been supplement to month-long time skips previously, but all paled in comparison to the 10 year time skip that marked the second half of the season. Thankfully, D’arcy and Cooke entered their roles seamlessly, allowing for the focus to shift to the Targaryen children who will comprise a large portion of the rest of the story. HBO even saw a 3% viewership increase with the release of “The Princess and The Queen,” according to The Variety, displaying promising signs for the rest of the season.

Episode 6 drew many parallels to the first episode of the series, and with the new cast, it came off as a second pilot. In the latest episode, we see Daemon Targaryen face a similar decision that his brother Viserys had to come to terms with at the climax of episode 1. In the midst of a difficult childbirth, Viserys is prompted with the choice of a C-Section. The cost of his wife for the life of his son. The Queen or an Heir. Love or Duty. Will Daemon make the same choice? As things heat up, The “House of The Dragon” rears its fangs.