A scene of a fratricidal duel between the twin brothers Ser Erryk and Ser Arryl Cargyll, this is what episode 2 of season 2 of “House of the Dragon” offers us. The two actors talk about the heavy preparation they had to undergo.
Warning, spoilers! This article reviews the plot of episode 2 of season 2 of House of the Dragon. If you haven’t seen it yet and don’t want to know what it’s about, don’t read any further.
Season 2 of House of the Dragon is in full swing after a first episode with a bloody finale, announced months ago. The Game of Thrones spin-off offers fans an intense and heartbreaking new moment with the duel between twin brothers Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk Cargyll, played by Elliott and Luke Tittensor. Let’s go behind the scenes of this deadly combat scene.
A shared passion for Westeros and rigorous preparation for the duel
Elliott and Luke Tittensor are not just passing actors in the world of George RR Martin.We are absolute fans of this series,” confides Elliott, “and we didn’t hesitate for a second when we were asked to play these characters.“For both actors, playing the Cargyll brothers was a unique opportunity to delve into a world that has long fascinated them and which put them on the international stage after having played in Shameless or Emmerdale.
Even though this duel is already written by George RR Martin in Fire and Blood, the announcement of the fratricidal duel was a shock for both actors. “We were surprised by the tragic ending and the confrontation between the two brothers,” admits Luke. But this shock quickly gave way to intense preparation. “We had to train for a succession of repetitions, 16 in total, each time lasting almost two hours to properly memorize all the blows delivered.“
“It was an epic training with the whole stunt team,” Luke recalls. “To In the end, we had become two war machines ready for this highly emotional final confrontation.“Filming the scene lasted three days, capturing every angle necessary for director Clare Kilner. This rigor made it possible to convey all the intensity and emotion of the duel on screen.
Theo Whitman/HBO
Actors faithful to their characters
Despite the brutality of the fight on screen, Elliott and Luke’s relationship thankfully remains intact in reality. “We are still close to each other and we live together under the same roof.“, confides Elliott. However, the two actors did not emerge unscathed from this duel. Elliott mentions a severe blow to the left elbow which shook him, while Luke, despite a few bruises, escaped relatively unscathed thanks to the adrenaline.
Clare Kilner’s direction was instrumental in directing the cast. They were able to rely on in-depth discussions about their characters’ pasts and the inner conflict that drives them. “Clare is someone who knew how to guide us on an emotional level,” says Elliott, allowing the actors to understand and convey the full complexity of their characters.
The differences between Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk are not limited to their allegiance. “Both are warriors serving their side and have an impeccable sense of honor,” Luke explains.But they disagree on who should be the lord of the Kingdom, which inevitably leads them to clash to the death.“
Comments collected by Emmanuel Itier on June 20, 2024.