Interview | Tom Glynn-Carney: Aegon's true intentions and why Targaryen incest is not condemned

With the death of Viserys in the first season of House of The Dragon the stage was set for the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Leading each faction are the two contenders considered with the most right to the Iron Throne: Aegon, the male child he had with Alicent; and his eldest daughter, Rhaenyra, whom he publicly named his heir during his lifetime. 

In the first episode of season 2, both deal with the consequences of Luke's death. While Rhaenyra negotiates directly with the grief over the loss of her son at Dragonstone and prepares her response, Aegon tries to prepare for the attack and consolidate his image as monarch to the people of King's Landing. 

In son for son, Aegon sits on the Iron Throne to hear the petitions of the citizens of the realm and his arrival is announced in the throne room as "The Magnanimous", a nickname given by his royal guard, who could also be described as his colleagues. 

Despite his inexperience and obvious immaturity to take on the responsibilities of the position, when listening to his responses to these requests, the viewer of the series is left with the feeling that Aegon seems to have good intentions, and that he could become a generous and noble king. 

On this, EL ESPAÑOL spoke with Tom Glynn-Carney, the actor who plays Aegon II in La casa del dragón, in an interview conducted after watching the first two episodes, where he explained the true intentions of his character and why incest among the Targaryen is not condemned in Westeros as it is with the rest of the Houses.

Aegon II and his Royal Guard

How would you describe Aegon with adjectives?

How much time do you have? (laughs). I would say he is chaotic and impulsive. He is a bomb about to explode, but also a very fragile person. 

How do you define the relationship between Aegon and Helaena? Would you say they are more husband and wife, king and queen, or siblings? Targaryen siblings, of course.

Good nuance, yes. Well, I would say all of the above. For them, there is no difference. Well, maybe it would be more accurate to say that they have to be all of that because it is their duty. They have to fulfill their duty as king and queen and they have to conceive heirs, but I would say that deep down their relationship is more fraternal than anything else, despite all the implications. 

"Rather than being, Aegon is more interested in seeming." 

Tom Glynn-Carney

Unlike the issues Cersei and Jaime Lannister had, the incestuous relationship of the Targaryen seems very accepted in this time in King's Landing.

Oh, yes. Incest among the Targaryen, especially within the dragon rider families, is not only accepted, it is encouraged, and if it were not so, they would be disappointed. 

Ryan Condal explained to us that House Targaryen was traditionally exempt from judgment in that sense, like the ancient Egyptians. They preferably married between siblings as part of their Valyrian heritage to keep the bloodline pure.

Aegon in 'La casa del dragón' 2x01

Would you say Aegon wants to be a good king?

I think some part of him wants to be a good king, at least initially, he does not want to be just a tyrant. But above all, he wants to be respected.

In the scene where the people make requests to him, he seems naive and inexperienced, but he seems to have the will to be fair...

Yes, but I would question his intentions. I don't want to overstep my role here, but I think that despite his inexperience, Aegon is very aware of appearances when it comes to people below him. I would say his apparent goodwill is not a selfless act. Rather than being, he is more interested in seeming. He wants to be loved and respected.