Milly Alcock’s new show Sirens marks her first TV role after House of the Dragon, with her character’s vast differences from Rhaenyra Targaryen brilliantly highlighting the actress’ range. Alcock starred in House of the Dragon season 1’s cast as young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, with a mid-season time jump then seeing her role recast with Emma D’Arcy, who continues to portray the now-Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. Becoming one of the biggest breakout stars from Game of Thrones’ prequel, it shouldn’t have been a surprise when Alcock returned in House of the Dragon season 2 during Daemon’s visions.

However, it took three years after House of the Dragon season 1 ended for Alcock to debut another starring TV role, with the anticipation being even greater as she prepares to lead the DCU’s upcoming film Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in the titular role. Before that movie arrives in 2026, Alcock gets to showcase more of her talents alongside Meghann Fahy, Julianne Moore, and Kevin Bacon in the main cast of Netflix’s Sirens. Alcock stars as Simone DeWitt, a type-A, class-striving personal assistant with a traumatic background she tries to run from, whose characterization marks a significant departure from Rhaenyra.

Milly Alcock’s Simone In Sirens Is Completely Different From House Of The Dragon’s Princess Rhaenyra

Simone’s Personality Is Very Different From Rhaenyra

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While she rose to fame for portraying the future Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Milly Alcock’s first TV follow-up sees her play a remarkably different type of character. Young Rhaenyra was rebellious, self-assured, independent, open to different worlds around her, and prideful, and stayed true to herself regardless of the powers and personalities that became obstacles in her duties as the heir to the Iron Throne. That, however, is very far from who Sirens’ young Simone DeWitt proves to be in Netflix’s black comedy thriller.

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Simone is quite the opposite; she portrays herself as confident, independent, and rebellious to those around her, but is actually completely unsure of herself, finds herself entirely dependent on powerful figures around her, and is incredibly frightened of others discovering that she lied, rebelled, or disappointed them in some way. Simone might like to see herself as becoming similar to Rhaenyra, but ultimately is someone who Rhaenyra may pity for being so dependent and treacherous based on what suits her personal, immediate needs.

All five episodes of Sirens are now available to stream on Netflix.

While she’s a complex character who wouldn’t be considered a “villain,” Simone is much more difficult to support and root for than a character like Rhaenyra Targaryen. Sirens’ ending sees Simone make a dark choice that, while realistic to her character and more tragic deeper motivations, is a betrayal someone like young Rhaenyra would never make. Even without the fantastical and royal elements of House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra and Simone have two completely different backgrounds, but their choices as they grow older are still generally rooted in the traumas of their upbringings.

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Their Motivations & Strategies For Obtaining Power Are Different

A major theme that overlaps in both Sirens and House of the Dragon is power and class, with Milly Alcock’s characters both playing major roles in the main succession of each show’s “royalty.” In House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra is the heir to the Iron Throne, and has been learning to assume the responsibilities of eventually becoming Queen of Westeros since she was a teenager. Meanwhile, in Sirens, being “Mrs. Kell” of the Cliff House is essentially the equivalent of being the queen of a kingdom. Alcock’s characters ultimately assume those roles in each show, but they’re accomplished very differently.

…There’s a deeper tragedy in the ruthlessness, selfishness, and desperation for survival that were required [for Simone] to obtain it.

In House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra didn’t necessarily want the burden of the Iron Throne or fulfilling Aegon’s Dream, but it was a duty bestowed upon her by her father to ensure the future survival of humanity. The Iron Throne was both her birthright and a reluctant responsibility, but she upheld her duty by fighting for it when she was usurped by her younger half-brother, ultimately still being crowned Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. She tried doing so without bloodshed, greed, or betrayals, but the fragility of holding power meant she had to play the game to keep her crown.

Meanwhile, Simone ultimately becomes the next Mrs. Kell in Sirens’ ending. She betrays Michaela and abandons her loyalty to Devon in favor of wearing the crown of being Peter Kell’s wife. When Simone elegantly looks over the edge of the cliff, it symbolizes her control over Sirens‘ domain, but there’s a deeper tragedy in the ruthlessness, selfishness, and desperation for survival that were required to obtain it. Simone sought that kingdom to give herself protection and safety in the comforts of wealth and power, which is a far cry from Rhaenyra’s motives for House of the Dragon’s Iron Throne.