From House Of The Dragon to Dinard, the insatiable curiosity of Phoebe Campbell

Last week there was a scent of Westeros floating over Dinard. The seaside resort on the Emerald Coast hosted the British and Irish Film Festival from October 2 to 6. Determined to focus on talents from across the Channel, Arielle Dombasle’s jury gave pride of place to young actors, including Phoebe Campbell, one of the new faces of House Of The Dragon.

In the HBO saga, inspired by the universe Game Of ThronesPhoebe Campbell, 27, plays Rhaena Targaryen, one of the heirs of the Black camp. Despite the notoriety of the series, Phoebe Campbell still enjoys relative anonymity. “I owe it all to my white dreadlocks wig. In life I don’t look like that at all and I don’t often wear dresses.”notes the non-binary artist who tells the Figaro behind the scenes of his stay in the Breton city and on the sets of HBO.

Also readProphecy, Battle of the Gosier… The creator of House Of The Dragon defends his choices

LE FIGARO – This is the first time that you participate in a Festival jury. Why did you accept the invitation from the one in Dinard?
Phoebe Campbell. – One of my friends called Liv, with whom I just did a play, told me about Dinard where she had come to present a film called Jellyfish. It was one of his most memorable experiences. It’s a privilege to say that we’re going to spend four days in theaters. It’s not so often that the chaos of everyday life allows us to see so many films.

Do you have a favorite British director?
Most of my work is in theater or television. I haven’t been in the film industry long enough to answer your question. I’m not as much of a movie buff as I’d like to be. 2024 marks the start of my apprenticeship! Like you, I notice this year that the Dinard Festival puts Irish cinema on an equal footing. This is excellent news. The Irish have an incredible sense of humor. They have their feet on the ground, a way of going straight to the point and to the bone.

How was your vocation born?
At the age of five, performing in a play about the Nativity. I was jealous of the people who played Joseph and Mary. I performed the lines for the entire production! I have always loved putting myself on stage. I was a loud and theatrical child. My poor parents and my sister were treated to frequent shows. Fortunately, I was able to continue down this path. Otherwise I don’t know what I would have done with my life. On the other hand, my debut in front of the camera at 16 was very bad. I was terrified. Obtaining a place at the RADA, the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art, was a priority. House Of The Dragon taught me as much as my three years at the conservatory. Working alongside established actors like Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy is like benefiting from a permanent masterclass.

“I didn’t really feel any pressure coming back in season 2 because I barely appeared in the previous one”

Phoebe Campbell

Viewers discovered you in House Of The Dragon how did the adventure begin for you?
I must admit that I haven’t looked much Game Of Thrones lack of time. I had to take a Westeros refresher course! I was first contacted, after I left RADA, to do tests for the character of my sister Bella. Months later, I received a call and was asked to try my luck with the character of Rhaena. I didn’t realize the importance of the series project at that time. I didn’t really feel any pressure coming back in season 2 because I barely appeared in the previous one: a few tears and blinking.

Isn’t it too difficult to find your way in a family tree where all the first names are similar?
It wasn’t easy (laughter). How is it possible that my grandmother is called Rhaenys, my mother-in-law is Rhaenyra and myself is Rhaena. I’m not even the only one to have this surname in the novels! The series is based on such a small section of George RR Martin’s novel that I had free rein to develop Rhaena. I asked myself: in this world full of constraints, what does it look like to desire forbidden things? I started from my own experiences. I also owe a lot to all my talented partners. During the first season, I was with Bethany Antonia who plays Bella 24 hours a day. Being separated in the second season was heartbreaking.

“Like you, I am impatient and I even dream at night of the moment when I would come face to face with my dragon”

Phoebe Campbell

Rhaena proves to be a very bad babysitter since she abandons her half-brothers to wander the moors in pursuit of a wild dragon. Very Jane Eyre of him!
She shows great irresponsibility but I still have confidence in her. Bella and Rhaena seem to have opposite personalities. Bella is a warrior. She takes after her father, her grandmother. Always ready to be on the front line. Everything that is forbidden to the conscientious Rhaena, for lack of having known how to tame a dragon. But Rhaena, whom her family considers only good at writing poetry and looking after children, would give anything to have the same status as her sister. It’s also frustrating to hear my comrades talk about scenes where they overlap with their grind and their sensations. Your reference to Charlotte Brontë’s heroine is amusing because my director gave me another one: The Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio. To be driven by a desire so deep that you would be ready to give up your life! Our settings, our sets lend themselves to this epic feeling. Everything is huge. Everything is gigantic. Most of my scenes took place in Wales, with such vast landscapes. You have to fight against this environment, this cold to get out of it.

Do you have any idea what to expect in season 3?
No way. We have an approximate pickup date but no plot details. Like you, I am impatient and I even dream at night of the moment when I would come face to face with my dragon. Knowing House Of The Dragonthere may be unforeseen events.