House of the Dragon‘s Tom Glynn-Carney addresses where he would like to see Aegon go if he had the opportunity to change his fate in the Game of Thrones prequel. Set before the events of HBO’s adaptation of George R.R Martin’s influential fantasy epic novel series, a civil war threatens to forever change the ruling Targaryen dynasty of Westeros. Glynn-Carney’s Aegon is the child of Paddy Considine’s King Viserys and Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower, who is quickly maneuvered onto the throne upon his father’s death, igniting a devastating conflict surrounding the succession.

As House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 revealed that Aegon is alive but in a critical state, Glynn-Carney opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about where he would like to see Aegon’s story further unfold if his fate hadn’t already been predetermined by Martin’s narrative. The actor states that he would hope to see Aegon break out of the machinations of his family and advisors to prove himself as a ruler, free to make his own choices for better or worse. Check out Glynn-Carney’s response below:

I want it to be, in an ideal world, for there to be an opportunity to prove himself and make decisions that he has made — not somebody else who thinks they know better. To carve out his own path as king. And then just see if he fucks it up as much as people think he might. I’d like to give him the space and the time to work it out. It’s a dangerous request because they could go horribly wrong. I think people underestimate him.

Could Aegon Have Been A Successful King?

Aegon Is A Fairer Ruler Than Expected

Within House of the Dragon’s adaptation of the Dance of the Dragons, Aegon has ever truly been free to determine his own destiny and has been a pawn in the games of others to give the Hightowers and their allies a greater claim of power. Ever since his birth, he has been treated as something to solidify their claim, a claim he initially had no interest in fulfilling until he was pushed to the throne. Though he undoubtedly had a cruel, spoiled, and entitled streak with his treatment of women and his illegitimate heirs, he has no stomach for power.

Despite questioning whether he was truly Viserys’ desired successor, Aegon did assume the throne, and as seen in House of the Dragon season 2, and does his best to be a fairer ruler while having a measured response to the brewing conflict. Though never free of the Green Council’s influence, Aegon does try to give his subjects fair treatment, being understanding of their plight until he is consumed by vengeance following his son’s murder. As such, if left to his own devices, Aegon may have grown into a worthy king.

The fates of Aegon and his generation may have been set in stone due to the detail established in Game of Thrones, but House of the Dragon season 2 did leave viewers with a glimpse at his reign. As such, it may not be hard to imagine Aegon progressing into a measured, competent ruler, or at least allowed to define his own fate as Glynn-Carney suggests. However, with devious acts leading into a war that will reshape Westeros’ fate and the king having suffered devastating injuries, Aegon’s rule may be cut short.

Source: THR