Phia Saban on How 'House of the Dragon' Changed Helaena From Page to Screen
Actor Phia Saban discusses her portrayal of Helaena Targaryen in the second season of House of the Dragon. She reflects on the challenges of adapting a character from George R.R. Martin's source material while navigating fan expectations and narrative changes.
Why it matters
It highlights the ongoing creative tension between source material fidelity and television adaptation in high-profile fantasy franchises.
If there’s one thing House of the Dragon fans have learned by now, it’s that the series has no problem venturing away from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood source material. That’s the main reason why Martin himself has criticized the show, even as co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal maintains that sometimes, adaptations have no choice but to make changes .
The character at the center of that original Martin complaint, Helaena Targaryen—she of the gruesome “ Blood and Cheese ” affair in season two—had a memorable season three, and actor Phia Saban recently spoke about what it was like bringing Helaena from the page to the screen.
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