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Famous for his role as the Eleventh Doctor onDoctor Whoand his appearance inThe Crown, Matt Smith took on the role of Prince Daemon Targaryen in HBO’s massively popular prequelHouse of the Dragon. Taking place 200 years before the events ofGame of Thrones, Smith recalled the choreography and fierce commitment that went behind his role as the Targaryen royal.
During a discussion with his co-star Fabian Frankel, Matt Smith recalled a choreographed fight sequence that they were rehearsing. Reminiscing the time from the set and the efforts that went behind his character, Smith recalled sustaining a pretty serious-sounding injury that left him bleeding.
Matt Smith Sustained a Sword Injury onHouse of the Dragon
Premiered in the summer of 2022, the HBO prequel seriesHouse of the Dragonis once again set to make itsbig return with its second seasonon August 16, 2025. Based onGeorge R.R. Martin‘sFire & Blood, the show focused on the chronicles of the Targaryen civil war, years before the events ofGame of Thrones, is slated to return with Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen.
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While theactor initially weathered criticism, as fans were skeptical about his capabilities to portray Daemon Targaryen,Matt Smitheventually proved to be the perfect choice to bear the Targaryen sigil and wage a handful of big battles. But in doing so, although the actor brought out Daemon’s fierceness, Smith also sustained some severe injuries that made him bleed.
Almost taking the Targaryen sigil of fire and blood quite literally, Matt Smith revealed a particular scene fromHouse of the Dragonthat left him bloody during the rehearsals. Reacting to the very sequence from the show, in a recent video forMax, Smith spoke about the scene with co-star Fabien Frankel who played Ser Criston Cole in the HBO show.
We learnt it all at Leavesden, which is where we shoot, but we didn’t know each other. And I hit you in the face with a sword, and you were bleeding in the rehearsal.Frankel shared.
Yeah, it was here, wasn’t it? [Points next to his left eye]. ‘Cause we were just going for it. It’s like learning a ballet, isn’t it? Just with swords. Sword ballet.Smith noted.
Looking back at their choreographed fight sequence from the show’s premiere, asFabien Frankeland Matt Smith laughed about the accidental injury, it highlighted the complexity of the scene while pointing out how things could have gone terribly wrong. But this isn’t the only time that Smith risked his physical well-being onHouse of the Dragon.
Matt Smith Suffered Neck Injuries While Performing Stunts
According to Matt Smith’s discussion withTHR, following the release ofHouse of the Dragonseason 1, the actor admitted injuring his neck, during one action sequence. Doing some of his own stunts for the show, Smith seemingly proved why most actors take professional help or stunt doubles for such intense scenes.
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Revealing that he injured a disc in his neck while filming a stunt, Matt Smith told the outlet about undergoing physical therapy for it, long after filming had wrapped. Although the actor implied that he worked through pain to complete his portion of filming, Smith’s flawless performance inHouse of the Dragonallowed no evidence of injury to fans.
It’s a f***ing pain in the neck – literally, physically and metaphorically.
Despite sustaining risks and injuries through production, Matt Smith’s dedication to authenticity adds depth to the intense scenes inHouse of the Dragon. Eventually, the actor’s willingness to push boundaries for his role as charismatic and volatile Daemon Targaryen has garnered praise from fans and critics alike.
House of the Dragonis available on Max.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
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Fabien FrankelHouse of the DragonMatt Smith
