Olivia Cooke Deactivates Instagram Before 'House of the Dragon' Season 3
The actress cited misogyny and racism in the fan community as reasons for stepping away from social media.
By Mariam Saleh ·
Olivia Cooke deactivated her Instagram account in June before the third season of HBO’s House of the Dragon premiered. The actress, who plays Queen Alicent Hightower, told GQ that she stepped back from social media to avoid the negativity surrounding the show’s fanbase.
Cooke described the online reaction as having a lot of ugliness. She said the fandom is steeped in misogyny and contains a lot of racism. She aims to let these issues take up minimal mental space.
The third season aired contentious storylines, including a kiss between Hightower and her son that led to an incestuous daydream scene. Cooke noted that fan interpretations often catch fire and diverge from what was actually shown on screen.
Co-creator Ryan Condal also addressed the fan dynamics. He criticized viewers for pitting the younger cast members against the older ones. Condal called the comparison horrible for the young performers. He said everyone should have celebrated the show’s success instead.
Cooke said the celebrity aspect of acting has become a monster. She argued that filmmakers create shows for escapism and art, not for follower counts or brand deals. She described her time away from social media as necessary because it was not nourishing.
The actress also praised director Clare Kilner. Cooke said Kilner proves a director can handle departments with kindness and care without exerting testosterone. House of the Dragon first aired in 2022 and has won two Emmys, including for costumes in 2023 and makeup in 2025.
