Ewan Mitchell has become one of the most recognizable faces in House of the Dragon, but the actor knows that being associated with one of Westeros’ most dangerous figures comes with a unique challenge. Since making his debut as Aemond Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel in 2022, Mitchell has experienced firsthand how deeply fans connect actors with the characters they portray.

Aemond is not exactly the kind of character audiences want to meet in a dark alley. The one-eyed Targaryen prince has built a reputation as one of the most ruthless figures in the series, driven by ambition, resentment and a desire for power. While Mitchell himself is far removed from his character’s violent nature, he admits that fans sometimes react to him as though Aemond’s intimidating personality follows him into real life.

“I’ve had people move out of the way for me,” Mitchell recently told PEOPLE, describing the surprising effect his role has had on public interactions.

The actor recalled one particular moment at an airport when he experienced just how powerful Aemond’s image had become. During the second season of House of the Dragon, shortly after a major episode aired, Mitchell found himself rushing through an airport and worried that he would not reach his destination in time.

Instead of encountering crowds slowing him down, he noticed something unexpected. People recognized him, stopped, and simply watched him pass.

“I remember stressing, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to get from this side of the airport to the other side in less than five minutes,’” Mitchell explained. “And I had so little resistance because people would stop and stare as I was running past them.”

The actor joked that if he ever needs to move quickly through a crowded place, he might only need one thing: Aemond’s signature silver-blond wig.

“When in doubt, when I’ve got to get somewhere fast, [I’ll put Aemond’s wig on],” he joked.

The reaction is a testament to how effectively Mitchell has brought the character to life. Since his introduction, Aemond has evolved from an overlooked younger son into one of the most terrifying players in the Targaryen civil war. His journey has been defined by insecurity, cruelty and a hunger to prove himself within a family obsessed with strength and legacy.

Season 3 continues to explore the darker side of Aemond’s personality, revealing even more about the emotional damage that shaped him. One of the season’s most shocking moments comes early on when Aemond shares an intimate kiss with his mother, Alicent Hightower, played by Olivia Cooke.

The unsettling scene immediately became one of the most talked-about moments of the new season. Mitchell admitted that even he understood why viewers would find the interaction disturbing.

“It kind of makes you want to throw up in your mouth a little bit,” he said of the unexpected moment. “It’s quite a difficult pill to swallow, isn’t it? Kissing your mom on the lips, especially in that way.”

However, the actor believes the scene reveals something important about Aemond’s damaged emotional development. Beneath his violence and arrogance is a character who has spent his entire life searching for affection and validation.

“Aemond, growing up, he never felt like he was loved enough by his mom and his family around him,” Mitchell explained. “And a kid needs that unconditional love to develop a balanced view of themselves.”

According to Mitchell, the absence of that emotional foundation has affected the way Aemond understands relationships. Instead of expressing love in healthy ways, he has developed a distorted and dangerous version of attachment.

“Because he never had that, he’s got a very skewed perception and a very strange way of showing love,” the actor said.

That complexity is part of what makes Aemond such a fascinating character. While his actions are often brutal, the show continues to explore the personal wounds behind his behavior. His ambition and aggression are not simply the result of wanting power; they are also connected to years of feeling rejected, underestimated and invisible.

For Olivia Cooke, who plays Alicent, the scene carried a similarly unsettling emotional weight. She admitted that filming the moment was uncomfortable because of the complicated dynamic between mother and son.

“I think it was quite odd for both of us,” Cooke said.

The actress explained that there has always been a psychological tension surrounding Aemond and Alicent’s relationship, even if Alicent herself does not fully understand it.

“There has been this Oedipal undercurrent — unbeknownst to Alicent,” she said. “And I think it’s shocking.”

Cooke also emphasized that the moment highlights just how dangerous Aemond has become. While Alicent may still see him as her son, she is also aware that he is a powerful and unpredictable figure who cannot easily be challenged.

“She knows that one wrong facial expression, one perceived rejection, will cost her her life,” Cooke explained. “So she’s trying to tread very, very carefully.”

The scene demonstrates the complicated power dynamics within the Targaryen family, where love, loyalty and fear often exist at the same time. Alicent’s reaction is not simply about discomfort; it is also about survival.

For Mitchell, playing Aemond requires finding the humanity underneath the character’s darker qualities. The actor has repeatedly emphasized that the goal is not to portray Aemond as a simple villain, but as someone shaped by his experiences and emotional struggles.

That approach has helped make Aemond one of House of the Dragon’s most compelling figures. Fans may fear him, criticize him and debate his actions, but Mitchell’s performance ensures that audiences understand why he became the person he is.

As season 3 continues, viewers can expect more exploration of Aemond’s complicated relationship with power, family and identity. The character remains one of the show’s biggest threats, but also one of its most psychologically layered.

While Ewan Mitchell may occasionally find strangers stepping aside when they recognize him, the actor understands that reaction is a sign of success. He has created a character intimidating enough that audiences temporarily forget the difference between the actor and the role.

And in the world of House of the Dragon, where reputation can determine survival, there may be no greater compliment for an actor playing a Targaryen prince than making people believe they should stay out of his way.