Defending their throne: Emma DArcy on preparing for battle on House of the Dragon

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In the third season of “House of the Dragon,” one of Emma D’Arcy’s wishes comes true.The British actor, who portrays Westeros’ displaced would-be sovereign Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s fantasy epic, has mentioned in past interviews their desire for their character to carry a weapon and asking showrunner Ryan Condal to make it happen.So far in the series, which kicks off its new season Sunday, Rhaenyra has briefly handled a blade in private.She’s also spoken about swords as a symbol of authority.

But the queen doesn’t carry a sword on her hip, unlike most of her male counterparts.“I just want to say I won that battle,” D’Arcy, 33, says of the status of their request during a recent video call from London.“The hows and the wherefores can wait, but it’s OK to say that I won that battle … by a story means that I wasn’t expecting.” Television Geeta Vasant Patel, director of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 finale, discusses Rhaenyra and Alicent’s relationship, Daemon’s vision and filming the episode’s montages.But this deadly addition to her wardrobe is not the only change for Rhaenyra this season.For the first time in the Targaryen war of succession, “there is momentum to Rhaenyra’s campaign,” says D’Arcy.

“Historically, we’ve seen Rhaenyra on the back foot in a kind of reactionary position.In the start of Season 3, she’s in a position of real strategic political power.”Created by Condal and “A Song of Ice and Fire” author George R.

R.Martin, “House of the Dragon” tells the story of this civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.

The eldest child of the previous king, Viserys I, Rhaenyra was named the official heir to the Iron Throne as a teenager by her father, despite women usually being overlooked in the line of succession.But upon her father’s death, her younger half brother Aegon — who was born after Rhaenyr...