Despite starring in the highly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, Olivia Cooke remains grounded in her Manchester roots. The 28-year-old actor, known for roles in Bates Motel and Ready Player One, says she values simple pleasures like chatting in her local café over a pot of tea.
Cooke, who plays Alicent Hightower in the series, recently returned to London after years in New York. She describes the pandemic pause as "a tonic", allowing her to reconnect with old friends and shake off earlier anxieties.
Unlike many in her position, Cooke has resisted the trappings of celebrity. She admits she initially hesitated to audition for House of the Dragon due to its massive popularity. "I resist things that are popular," she says, but changed her mind after reading the scripts.
Her mother, however, is keen to see her daughter date a Hollywood A-lister, though Cooke seems content with her current low-key lifestyle. She describes her career approach as "trying to escape the last thing I've done", ensuring she remains versatile across genres.
With House of the Dragon set to air, Cooke acknowledges the scrutiny ahead but remains philosophical. She and her friends are enjoying a "second youth", going out more in uncertain times. "32 is the new 22," she declares, embracing her age.
