Olivia Cooke quit social media over 'House of the Dragon' fandom 'ugliness'

Olivia Cooke says the online discourse around 'House of the Dragon' got so toxic it drove her off social media. Per Variety, the actor, who plays Queen Alicent Hightower, told GQ she logged out ahead of the show's upcoming third season.

Cooke described the fandom's behavior as containing 'a lot of ugliness,' 'misogyny,' and 'racism.' She suggested that certain fan interpretations of the show can 'catch fire' and spiral into something harmful.

The actor did not specify which platforms she left. Her character, Alicent, is often at the center of intense fan debates due to her morally complex and controversial role in the series.

Production on season three of the HBO prequel is currently underway. Cooke's comments highlight the darker side of engagement with major fantasy franchises.