While Daemon Targaryen isn’t always the most likable guy, it’s hard not to appreciate Matt Smith’s outstanding performance in House of the Dragon, and it bears some similarity to another TV show he famously starred in. Smith is arguably most famous for his role as the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who, a role that is very similar to the Rogue Prince, Daemon. Smith leads the House of the Dragon cast as one of the show’s most complex characters, who’s managed to become a fan favorite due to the veteran actor’s riveting performance.

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2, saw Daemon and Rhaenyra in their most brutal verbal confrontation yet, with her picking apart his character after his terrible act in the season premiere. Daemon and Rhaenyra’s dynamic is unlike anything that’s been seen in the Game of Thrones universe so far, with Rhaenyra the monarch and Daemon labeled as King Consort. There’s much to pick apart from what Daemon’s story is about, but in some aspects, it’s reminiscent of another incredible Matt Smith role.

Matt Smith In House Of The Dragon Season 2 Is Similar To His Role In The Crown

Prince Philip’s Arc In The Crown Is Similar To Daemon’s In HOTD Season 2

Before Matt Smith suited up in a silver wig to play the fictional Prince Daemon, he gave his interpretation of the real-life Prince Philip for The Crown, a dramatized TV series examining the life of Queen Elizabeth II of England. The Crown was a 21-time Emmy award-winning drama throughout its six seasons, with Smith playing the youngest iteration of the queen’s husband. The show saw him exploring a very similar arc to what Daemon is experiencing in House of the Dragon.

It should first be mentioned that while The Crown explores the flaws of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh isn’t similar to the fictional Prince Daemon. However, both series explore the power dynamic of a man married to a ruling Queen, and they’re undoubtedly two of Matt Smith’s most nuanced roles and exceptional performances. While Smith has yet to earn an Emmy nomination for Daemon, he received one for playing Prince Philip in 2018. For House of the Dragon fans wanting more of Smith’s charm, playing a character with some rough edges, The Crown is the next best thing.

Which Seasons Of The Crown Is Matt Smith In?

Matt Smith Plays The Crown’s First Iteration Of Prince Philip

The historical drama spans several decades, and the way The Crown works is that every two seasons, the cast changes to fit with the passing time. Matt Smith plays Prince Philip in seasons 1 & 2, so audiences watching for him can dive right in. The series boasts an outstanding cast, and it’s easy to get hooked on its other stars, from Claire Foy to Josh O’Connor to Elizabeth Debicki. Nothing will quite compare to Smith’s electric House of the Dragon performance, but The Crown offers an equally rewarding, alternate option.