Eve Best’s fearless journey from The King’s Speech to House of the Dragon, conquering bold roles.

Renowned for her commanding presence in House of the Dragon, Eve best captured our hearts with her character, Princess Rhaenys Velaryon. As daring as she is, she also previously took on an intense part in a controversial, Oscar-winning movie (more than a decade ago) that pushed her to her limits.

Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon 2 | HBO
This role showcased her mind-bending talent and fearlessness, solidifying her status as a versatile actress who ain’t afraid of the extraordinary! Here’s a scoop about her iconic portrayal in the Oscar-winning film.

From Royal Roles to the Globe: Eve Best’s Journey from The King’s Speech to HOTD

Eve Best as Wallis Simpson in The King’s Speech | UK Film Council

Forget dragons for a minute. Before gracing our screens as the formidable Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon, Eve Best, well, Emily in “real life,” as she calls it, tackled a character that sent shivers down her spine—and down the Academy Awards red carpet.

Best, a self-proclaimed Oxford English major, never envisioned a life on stage and screen. But acting, she says, “was just something I always did.” Little did she know those childhood plays would lead to a career filled with complex characters, all imbued with a captivating grace.

Her big break came in the Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech. Now, while the movie itself has become a subject of debate (more on that later! ), Best’s portrayal of the impeccably stylish Wallis Simpson was undeniable. The actress gushes about how it’s so fun to wear pretty clothes on set (via Harpers Bazaar),

It was fun to get to wear those beautiful clothes, and the jewelry, oh my God! I like roles that scare the shit of me.

The King’s Speech might have sparked controversy, but for Best, it was a stepping stone. Next up? Headlining Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at the Globe Theatre; she enthuses,

Oh, it’s my favorite. And finally – a happy ending!

The King’s Speech won Best Picture at the 83rd Academy Awards on Feb 27, 2011. With a 94% Tomatometer rating, the film was critically acclaimed and a box office hit, grossing $135 million (domestically) and $423 million (worldwide).

Eve Best Has a Heartfelt Message For Her Fierce House of the Dragon Character

Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon | HBO

Spoiler Alert!
House of the Dragon spoilers follow!

Brace yourselves, HOTD fans. If you haven’t caught the latest episode titled ‘The Red Dragon and the Gold,’ you might want to steer clear for a moment.

We’re diving into spoiler territory after a jaw-dropping fight scene involving dragons and Targaryens. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, played by the incredible Eve Best, appeared to meet a fiery demise (epic understatement!).

Best recently sat down to reflect on her character’s journey throughout the series based on George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood. Looking back at the first season, Best gives out a heartfelt message to her character (reported by Forbes),

I love the fact—I said to Ryan [Condal] at the end of last season, I really want Rhaenys to go samurai in the second season because the whole of the first season had been in peacetime. She was in frocks and I was just like, I want her to go full warrior.

And that’s exactly what we got! Best explains how Rhaenys, despite her reservations about Rhaenyra, ultimately chose the “right thing to do” and embraced her inner warrior.

Eve Best’s The King’s Speech is available to watch on Netflix, Amazon TV channel, and Max.