House of the Dragon Actress Olivia Cooke Slaps Co-Star Causing Tears

Olivia Cooke, who stars as Alicent Hightower on HBO's House of the Dragon, revealed that she once slapped her co-star Tom Glynn-Carney so hard during a scene that it made him cry. Glynn-Carney, who plays her son King Aegon Targaryen, encouraged Cooke to slap him for real, and after consulting with the stunt coordinator, she delivered a powerful slap that resonated on set, though it left her feeling awful. Cooke described the experience as "hideous" and said she has always felt sick after doing such stunt work. She also discussed the challenges of filming intimate scenes, emphasizing the importance of intimacy coordinators who advocate for actors' comfort and safety, a practice that has improved conditions in Hollywood but still faces issues, especially for newer actresses. Cooke is currently working on the third season of House of the Dragon, expected in 2026, and is promoting her new drama The Girlfriend.