After Leaving Instagram, Olivia Cooke Calls Out House of the Dragon Fandom's Ugliness and Hostility

Why Cooke stepped away

She told GQ that her social media use had reached a point that was “not nourishing,” in her words. She described the celebrity culture surrounding acting as a growing problem.

Her criticism of fandom

Cooke said the show’s fandom can include “a lot of ugliness,” and described it as steeped in misogyny and racism. She added that she tries to give such reactions minimal space in her mind.

She also said fan theories and interpretations can catch fire and become disconnected from what viewers saw on screen. Some fans have theorized not only about characters, but also about the actors and directors.

Controversial storylines and backlash

Alicent has been part of contentious storylines, including kissing her son and daydreaming about him. The article also notes that the show’s creator addressed backlash over major changes from the book during the summer.

Cooke said television and films can offer escapism while also being art and creative work. She argued they should not be made for followers, brand deals or free items, though she acknowledged that free items can be nice sometimes.