There’s a new crowd-favorite star in town and that’s Simon Russell Beale! The actor played Ser Simon Strong in House of the Dragon and he caught fans’ attention after his scene-stealing moment, showing unwavering loyalty to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Even before that, the character was already displaying what an excellent player he is in this game of thrones. He never flipped whenever Daemon Targaryen taunts him, and that’s why the audience grew fond of him.
Fans Love This BTS Video Of Jamie Kenna and Simon Russell Beale
In a behind-the-scenes video posted on Twitter, actors Jamie Kenna and Simon Russell Beale goof around on the set of House of the Dragon in a golf cart. Still wearing Ser Alfred Broome’s and Ser Simon Strong’s garments, they drove the entire duration of the clip, with Kenna mainly speaking:
I’m in the cart with Simon Russell Beale and he can’t drive. I just discovered he can’t drive. I’m wearing a… dressed like medieval tw*ts so I’m leaving this message mainly for my friends and family that this might be the last you’ll ever see of me. So, I love you all, and I’m sorry. It was him, he did it.
Beale was behind the wheel and he was laughing and smiling throughout the video. In the last few seconds of the clip, he pulled the brake and Kenna bumped his head on the windshield. Beale could not contain his laughter, but he did it silently while leaning on his companion.
Fans were so amused with this behind-the-scenes antics from Kenna and Beale. Check out their reactions below:
He’s so happy 😂😂😂
— TheTiniestOfMeat44 (@TMeat44) August 9, 2024
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone happier than the Simon Strong actor
— Trey the Explainer (@Trey_Explainer) August 9, 2024
Bless this man
Omgggg I freaking love thissss!
— ADC (@Princess_Lump) August 9, 2024
🤣 Sir Simon is having a good ole time!
— Yvonne🌹💙 (A Noble's Eternal Heart) (@YvonneNicolas) August 9, 2024
Never in my life did I imagine I’d see Ser Simon Strong driving a golf cart around King’s Landing.😭😭😭
— JABBA (@ab_jabba) August 10, 2024
Even though they play contrasting roles in the show, with Ser Alfred Broome campaigning for Matt Smith’s Daemon and silently betraying Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra, and Ser Simon Strong showing resolute devotion to the queen, they seemed to enjoy each other’s company on set.
Simon Russell Beale On Playing Simon Strong In House of the Dragon
Ser Simon Strong did not become the star of the show for nothing. He welcomed Daemon into Harrenhal, and he was still classy in his responses even when the Rogue Prince continues to give him so much crap. One famous example was the “King Consort” scene that became social media content.
In his interview with Vanity Fair, Beale said about his character: “I think he’s perfectly capable of trying to play their game if he feels the need to.” Indeed, he is the only character in this season who doesn’t want anything to do with the civil war, yet when the necessity arises, he shows up and makes his own stand.
House of the Dragon Season 2 is streaming on HBO.
