The second episode of the new season of “House of the Dragon” and the actors Elliott and Luke Tittensor — who play the twins Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk Cargyll respectively — they spoke in an interview with CNN about the moment played by their characters in the series and how they prepared for it.
The following text contains spoilers for the second season of “House of the Dragon”.
At the end of the series’ first season, Erryk and Arryk separated their destinies by choosing different sides in the battle between Rhaenyra and Alicent to decide who will sit on the Iron Throne.
While Arryk decides to remain loyal to the Greens, obeying Hightower’s orders, Erryk decides to join Rhaenyra on Dragonstone and take the Black’s side in battle.
In the last episode, however, the twins meet again and fight each other with an emotional ending — and without the use of stunt doubles to record the scene.
“We spent a lot of time in rehearsals. We probably spent more than 30 hours with the stunt team to get the fight and the choreography done. So when we went to set, we knew exactly what needed to be done and we were able to do it without worrying about anyone’s safety,” Elliot said at a press conference where the CNN was part of it.
According to the brothers, they both wanted to film the battle scene from start to finish, without the use of stunt doubles.
“We kind of enjoyed the challenge of doing the whole fight ourselves because we ideally wanted to go on set and not need a stunt double to do the work for us,” added Luke.
More than 30 hours of training and after three days of recording, the two achieved it: “It was great, because that’s what we wanted to achieve,” said Elliot.
“But we need a cold room, though,” Luke added, laughing. “We needed a cold room in place, they had a small room with two air conditioners. So we had a little break in the middle of recording because we definitely needed it.”
Although “very well made”, as Elliot pointed out, the armor used by the two also made the task difficult: “It’s a bit difficult to move, to be honest, it’s really, really difficult. Really heavy.”
The emotional side
The fight between the twins is not just a physical battle, but an emotional standoff between the brothers, and the Tittensors were intentional about portraying it that way.
“They had a bit of a childish mentality to the point where they couldn’t really see their sibling’s side, which is something, for twins and with the strong connection that exists, it’s hard to see. But you know it was forced on them at that time,” Elliot said.
“So as far as the fight goes, I feel like there was still a lot of emotional tension built up between that point,” he added.
The two also agreed that much of the emotion comes naturally due to the fact that they are both twin brothers in real life: “Just knowing that you will be able to express something like that with your brother. This is exciting,” said Luke.
Working alongside your brother
In fact, working together on a program like “House of the Dragon” was, according to both of them, the best part of the experience.
“I think anyone who got the role would be ecstatic to be in a job of this caliber anyway. So to share this with a member of your family, not only that, but your twin brother, is really special,” said Luke.
“And it also brings a family energy to the set, the energy you feel in the place is naturally family because I’m sharing this experience with my brother,” he added.
According to Elliot: “I think if you asked any younger boy with a brother what they would like to do in their imagination, they would probably say something like swords and dragons and battling each other.”
“House of the Dragon” will have seasons 3 and 4, says George RR Martin
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
