House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia has been announced as the latest addition to the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 cast. The actress and singer, 28, revealed her participation on Tuesday, saying she is "so excited" to join the show.
Antonia is best known for playing dragon-rider Lady Baela Targaryen in the HBO fantasy prequel series, set 200 years before Game of Thrones. She will appear in the upcoming series of the BBC dance competition.
Antonia's Excitement and Nerves
In a video on the Strictly Come Dancing Instagram page, Antonia said: "I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September! I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully) learn a new skill. See you on the dancefloor!"
She added: "Oh my goodness! I’m so excited. I’m absolutely terrified. I cannot wait to meet my partner. I can’t wait to be part of the Strictly extravaganza." Antonia described the show as "such a big part of my life" and said she can't wait to learn ballroom and Latin dance.
Career Background
Antonia began acting at age 14, appearing in a short film adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. She later featured in BBC soap opera Doctors, teen thriller Get Even, sitcom Stath Lets Flats, biopic Nolly, and Doctor Who. She rose to global fame in 2022 for her role in House of the Dragon, based on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. She is currently performing in the West End production of Hadestown as Eurydice.
Other Contestants and New Additions
Antonia joins previously announced contestants Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Jaime Winstone, and Dame Sarah Storey. The show has also announced five new professional dancers: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, and Mark Karmalita. New hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe will replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the show last year.
Further celebrities joining the lineup will be announced throughout the summer ahead of the new series airing on BBC One and iPlayer this September.
