For actors one of the aspects of their job that they will likely have to deal with, whether they like it or not, is everyone knowing who they are. If your face has been on the big screen or every television or laptop, or heck even mobile phone these days, around the world, then people are going to recognize you out and about, and sometimes, just sometimes, there is the temptation to pretend you are someone else entirely. That’s how House of the Dragon star Emma D’Arcy feels at least.
For the most part, actors love their fans, they know that they wouldn’t be where they are without them, but the drawback is that you forfeit the right to walk down the street uninterrupted and just get on with your daily life. Depending on your level of fame, you may never lead a normal life ever again.
When sat at the Drama Actress Roundtable for the Hollywood Reporter, D’Arcy spoke about how they sometimes feel like handling the public recognizing them out and about. Talking with Hollywood legends, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Coolidge, Dominique Fishback, Clare Danes, and Melanie Lynskey, they noted that they do have a slight advantage,
“I always get asked if I am me, because I look quite different in real life, which actually presents an unfortunate possible out, because there is a temptation to say ‘no, but I get that all the time.'”
D’Arcy is mostly known for their role in House of the Dragon where they play Rhaenyra Targaryen, who sports a very different hairstyle to the actor. Rhaenyra has long blonde platinum locks and bleached eyebrows, whereas D’Arcy has a short pixie crop, which changes colors frequently, and dark eyebrows to match. There are plenty of days when we are sure they would rather just pretend not to be themselves to get a moment’s peace, but many actors also know that for a fan, getting to meet them is a thrill.
Garner, who has been in the industry for some time, claims that she has no qualms with such tactics, “I’ve taken the out. For sure.” She goes on to talk about how people still come to her to proclaim their love for her character in the classic 13 Going On 30. Coolidge also chimes in on her experience, though, until White Lotus, she noticed a massive 50/50 split, “it was kind of split down the middle. Girls would come up to me and say ‘You’re that lady from Legally Blonde, and guys would always be American Pie.”
D’Arcy will continue to appear in House of the Dragon in the second season, though, depending on what roles she takes next, she may find herself less able to fly under the radar and perhaps more willing to “take the out” in the future like Garner.