Matt Smith almost turned down starring in Doctor Who after his casting was met with criticism.

Matt Smith’s role as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon may be his most anticipated performance today, but that was not the case when he was cast in Doctor Who in 2009. The actor faced a lot of early criticism from fans of the franchise just because he was an unknown star.

Matt Smith in House of the Dragon / HBO Entertainment
At one point, Smith considered backing out of the project believing he could not pull it off or he might ruin the reputation of Doctor Who. Needless to say, it became his career’s breakthrough, and he was lauded for his impressive work on the series.

Matt Smith On His Unforgettable Role In Doctor Who

During his interview with Variety, actor Matt Smith reflected on his time working on Doctor Who. He became the youngest actor to ever play the lead role in the famed British show.

You never really know which way he’s going to go. I always viewed him as an agent of chaos.

Matt Smith in Doctor Who / BBC
When asked about how fans dealt with his casting, he responded, “I would walk down the street, and people would say, ‘Don’t break Doctor Who!’ because they had no idea who I was.” Indeed, the actor felt so pressured with the task he was given to fulfill that he considered turning down the role. His agent saved him from regret.

In a conversation with the Los Angeles Times, Smith said that the pressure from Doctor Who was more “extraordinary” than in House of the Dragon.

I was 26 [when I was cast] and I don’t know if I’ll ever feel pressure like that again. In Britain, anyway, the focus on that job is enormous.

He remarked working on the famed HBO fantasy show where he just “go to work in a studio in Watford and try to get the lines in the right order.” Not much pressure for someone who sets his own standard as Daemon Targaryen.

What Fans Can Expect From Daemon Targaryen In House Of The Dragon Season 2

Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith in House of the Dragon / HBO Entertainment
In the same interview with Variety, Smith teased fans what they can expect in the upcoming second installment of House of the Dragon. The show has been a huge hit and a critical success, and his role as the ever-dazzling Daemon Targaryen always manages to steal the spotlight.

We start to see the mask slip. Life becomes more difficult, and he gets soft around the edges. He starts to unravel. We definitely meet Daemon at a point of crisis in this situation, and in many ways, it’s a different version of him. It’s one that’s much weaker.

Now this is intriguing to hear for fans who loved the character’s tough demeanor and devil-may-care attitude. Indeed, there’s more to know about Daemon in Season 2 and the lengths he would go to prove his loyalty to Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Even today, fans still remember and associate Smith with his participation in Doctor Who. It’s quite amazing how a single risk can bring a wondrous plot twist to an actor’s career.

Doctor Who is available to watch on Max, while House of the Dragon Season 2 arrives on June 16.