House of the Dragon star Olivia Cooke has opened up about why she stepped away from social media, revealing that the negative side of the show’s fandom played a significant role in her decision. The actress, who portrays Queen Alicent Hightower in HBO’s fantasy drama, said online discussions sometimes go beyond criticism of the characters and storylines, turning into personal attacks influenced by misogyny and racism.
In a recent interview with GQ, Cooke discussed the impact of the show’s passionate fanbase and explained why she decided to deactivate her social media accounts ahead of the third season. Her comments also highlight the growing pressure actors face to maintain an online presence while dealing with intense public scrutiny.
Olivia Cooke Calls Out Misogyny and Racism in the Fandom
Discussing the reactions surrounding House of the Dragon, Cooke explained that certain fan interpretations can spread rapidly online, eventually becoming disconnected from what audiences actually see on screen.
She said, “There’s a lot of ugliness to that fandom as well. It’s steeped in misogyny. There’s a lot of racism. I try to let it take up minimal mental real estate.”
The actress also addressed how some interpretations of the show’s controversial storylines gained momentum among viewers. According to Cooke, discussions can quickly become exaggerated, creating narratives that do not necessarily reflect the scenes or performances being discussed.
The third season attracted considerable debate over Alicent’s storyline, particularly the disturbing developments involving her son Aemond Targaryen, played by Ewan Mitchell. Some viewers criticised the creative decisions, while others directed their frustration towards the actors and people involved in bringing those scenes to television.
Cooke’s comments underline the difference between criticising a fictional character or creative decision and targeting the performer personally.
Why the Actress Stepped Away From Social Media
The fandom’s behaviour was not the only reason Cooke decided to take a break. She also admitted that her relationship with social media had become unhealthy and that spending so much time online was no longer beneficial.
Explaining her decision, she said, “I was just like, I’m on this too much. It’s not nourishing.”
Cooke also questioned the growing celebrity culture surrounding actors, arguing that films and television should primarily be appreciated as creative work rather than becoming platforms for followers, brand partnerships and online promotion.
The actress temporarily deactivated her Instagram account in April 2026 and returned to the platform in October. However, she has continued to maintain a more cautious relationship with social media.
Olivia Cooke Praises House of the Dragon Director
During the interview, Cooke also praised director Clare Kilner, who worked on several episodes of the third season. The actress appreciated Kilner’s leadership style, highlighting how kindness and care can be just as effective on a production set as a more aggressive approach.
Her comments also push back against negative assumptions about the working environment behind the series.
For Cooke, stepping away from social media has allowed her to create healthier boundaries between her acting career and online conversations. While House of the Dragon continues to attract passionate reactions, the actress appears determined to keep the negativity from dominating her personal life.
