Stepping onto the stage of the Royal Exchange in Manchester during a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Tom Glynn-Carney discovered more than just the thrill of performance—he found a calling. Inspired by seasoned actors in the tragic play, Tom’s journey into the world of acting was sparked by a profound realization: the stage and screen held the power to captivate hearts and minds—a revelation that set him on a path of artistic exploration and growth. Throughout his career, Tom Glynn-Carney has embraced roles that challenge conventions and delve into the complexities of human emotion. In House of the Dragon, he breathes life into the conflicted character of Aegon II Targaryen, navigating the treacherous waters of power and legacy with a nuanced portrayal that transcends traditional notions of heroism and villainy. Drawing parallels to historical figures such as Richard II, Tom explores Aegon II as a complex figure grappling with power, identity, and the burdens of leadership. Like Richard II, Aegon II balances moments of cruelty with introspective vulnerability, portraying a tragic figure torn between ambition and empathy. Tom Glynn-Carney’s portrayal skillfully navigates these complexities, offering viewers a poignant glimpse into the turmoil of a ruler's downfall, echoing the timeless themes of Shakespearean drama.

House of the Dragon S2 is now available on HBO.

Violeta Nicola __ Reflecting on your journey in the acting industry, do you remember the moment you realized you wanted to pursue acting?

Tom Glynn-Carney __ The moment I realized I wanted to pursue acting was probably when I was around 12 years old, in high school. I was performing in a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth at the Royal Exchange in Manchester. I saw older actors and wondered what their "proper" jobs were outside of the theater. When I asked one of them, they said, "No, this is my proper job. This is what I do." I didn’t know people could do that. From that moment on, I knew that this is what I wanted to do as a career.

VN __ You’ve done multiple shows and movies in the dramatic genre. Would you ever be open to doing other genres?

TGC __ Absolutely, I'd love to explore new genres in the future. I'd love to give comedy a go. I think that would be a good challenge. It’s difficult because timing is crucial—delivering a joke at the right time can feel almost mathematical. But I think that good comedy actors don't see it that way at all. It just comes naturally to them. I'd love to give it a shot. I'm also interested in doing biopics, bringing real-life stories to life. Chet Baker and Gene Kelly, in particular, would be fascinating characters to portray. But I'm open to any interesting projects that come my way.

VN __ How do you choose the roles you take on? Are you drawn to a particular type of character or story?

TGC __ Honestly, I'm drawn to anything that makes me feel uncomfortable and pushes me out of my comfort zone. I seek out roles where the character feels distant and challenging. I like to test myself and see if I can bring such characters to life. If a role feels like something I might struggle with, that's exactly what I want to tackle. I often joke that these challenging roles might be my downfall someday. [laughs]

VN __ Can you share any insights into how your character, Aegon II Targaryen, evolves in the upcoming season?

TGC __ I found it fascinating to delve deeper into Aegon this season because there's so much more to uncover about him. In the first season, we saw quite a two-dimensional view of Aegon—not due to Ty Tennant's portrayal, which I thought was fantastic, bringing a lot of vulnerability and teenage angst to the character. When I took over, the time frame was too short to really explore Aegon's complexities. This time, I've had an extended period to sit with the character and dig into his deeper layers. Playing a character experiencing profound grief is always a challenge. I'm lucky enough that I've never gone through anything like that myself, so I had to imagine it as vividly as possible. This season, Aegon is shown as more of an empath than a psychopath. It becomes clear that he has the capacity to love, feel, and grieve. There are so many comparisons between Aegon and Richard II. People are saying Aegon is cold, calculated, and evil, and while he's certainly done horrible things—I'm not justifying any of those—it's important to note that, rather than being a straightforward villain, he's a crumbling tragedy.

VN __ How has your approach to portraying Aegon II changed from the previous season to the new one?

TGC __ There’s definitely a continuation of the drama and theatricality from season one. It's huge, rousing, and intense. I've seen episodes one to four, and they are just unbelievable, especially the battle scenes—you can't get any bigger than that. This season, though, there’s also an element of humor. At some point, they called  Aegon "the Magnanimous," and it was important to bring some levity to his character. Aegon has just stepped into the role of King and is trying to figure it all out. We're at a point where he’s found a spring in his step, enjoying this new responsibility and purpose. He’s also got a lot of power now. Power can go to people's heads and make them crazy. It was nice to explore his boyishness and playfulness, as it gives his character more depth and leaves room for growth.

VN __ What would you tell people to get them on Team Green?

TGC __ I don’t think I need to persuade them—obviously, we’re the best. But if you really want to see why, this season is packed with surprises that will make it clear.

VN __ Since the show is based originally on books, is there a specific book you’d like to see brought to the screen and for you to be a part of?

TGC __ I'd love to see a film adaptation of Douglas Stuart's book Shuggie Bain. Another great choice would be The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell. It’s a collection of beautiful and heart-wrenching short stories, and each one could make a compelling film. Looking at my bookshelf now, I see a lot of books on Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Paul McCartney—mostly singer-songwriters. I also have a lot of poetry. I'd love to see a biopic of Patti Smith. That would be incredible.

VN __ Your career has taken you to various filming locations around the world. Is there a specific location you haven’t been to yet and would love to be the backdrop for a potential future project?

TGC __ Oh, that's a good question. I think somewhere that’s a hybrid between beautiful rolling countryside and the coast. A place that offers both stunning landscapes and the sea. On your days off, you could go for a swim or hike through the mountains. I’d love to work in a scenic and peaceful location like that.

VN __ Sometimes, actors who play “villains” can get an adverse reaction from some fans of a show. What have your interactions been like?

TGC __ I've been very lucky. Many people have approached me with kind words about my portrayal of Aegon. It's a challenging task to humanize someone so seemingly poisonous. Fortunately, I haven't had negative encounters with fans who can't differentiate between the character and the actor. I think we're in a different phase in society now. When Jack Gleeson played Joffrey, there was less social media presence, making it harder for audiences to separate the actor from the character. Today I think we are a more technologically advanced community, with more behind-the-scenes and a better understanding of the distinction between actor and character. I think people have copped on. I hope that's the case, anyway.

VN __ You’ve collaborated with renowned directors like Christopher Nolan. What have you learned from these experiences?

TGC __ Doing Dunkirk was my first significant experience on a film set. I really didn't know where to start. The canvas was completely blank. And it was just such a gift, a pinch me moment that I was able to learn from some of, if not the best filmmaker in the world. It was overwhelming. And I had to remind myself to be present and soak in everything like a sponge. Chris's patience and the support from the rest of the cast were invaluable throughout. We were all in it together, especially us young lads who were new to such a big production. We learned and grew together during that incredible experience.

VN __ In The King, you portrayed a historical figure. How did you approach bringing this character to life?

TGC __ When portraying a fictional character, there's often more freedom because there's no definitive blueprint to follow—even if they're written in a book, they're still fictional. You can infuse your own understanding and personality into the role. However, there’s added pressure when it comes to a historical figure because you're portraying someone real. I never let that pressure overwhelm or hinder the process. Instead, I took the character as presented and focused on doing my best with the role.

VN __ A new Hunger Games movie was just announced, specifically a prequel focusing on Haymitch's story, and many fans are eager to see you in that role. What are your thoughts on that?

TGC __ No way, that’s the first I’ve heard of it! But I'm incredibly flattered that people would like to see me on screen again. If all goes well, I'll fight for my life in the Hunger Games! [laugh]

VN __ What are some of your favorite shows during your downtime?

TGC __ One show I watch repeatedly, and it never gets old for me, is the UK version of The Office. The humor is very relatable and comforting to me. I even laugh just thinking about it. It's one of those TV shows when it finishes, you're like, “Oh no! What do I do with my life? I miss the characters already.” [laugh] I also enjoy the US version of The Office. Besides that, I'm fascinated by farming documentaries. Shows like This Farming Life on BBC are incredibly calming for me. And I have to mention The Great Pottery Throwdown — I'm a bit of a pottery nerd, and that show is brilliant!

VN __ Who are some creatives you would love to work with in the future?

TGC __ The list is long. Firstly, there are directors I'd love to collaborate with again, like Chris Nolan and Sam Mendes, with whom I've had some of my best experiences and whom I consider friends. I'm eager to work with them again. Then there are filmmakers like Andrea Arnold, Yorgos Lanthimos, Greta Gerwig, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Ruben Ostlund, all of whom I admire and would love to collaborate with. When it comes to actors, there are many I admire as well. I plan to work with individuals who challenge me, from whom I can learn, and who are dedicated to their craft. I appreciate those who find joy and humor in their work because life is short, and it’s important to enjoy what you do.

VN __ Lastly, where do you hope your career will head into the future?

TGC __ It’s more of a feeling than a checklist of achievements that I aim for. I understand that feeling because I can almost sense it in advance. It’s difficult to articulate—it’s a mix of happiness, creative fulfillment, diversity in roles, consistent challenge, and pushing boundaries. I aspire to transform and lose myself in characters. Equally important to me is collaborating with inspiring individuals whom I can learn from and grow with. I also value the freedom to select projects that resonate with me personally.

Photographer Eddie Blagbrough, Styling & Co-Producer Chloe Beeney, Interview Violeta Nicola, Co-Producer David Gargiulo, Groomer Terri Grisdale, Talent Tom Glynn-Carney (SJ Comms)