Fabien Frankel Limits Instagram Comments Following Online Harassment

Westeros, as depicted in House of the Dragon, is full of terrible people committing atrocities at every turn. The quality of life isn’t great; childbirth can be deadly, no matter how close to the Iron Throne you are; systemic misogyny rules supreme; House Targaryen can get away with nearly any misdeed imaginable, and its members care little for the smallfolk (and most don’t think of them at all). Plus, those fearsome dragons are living, fire-breathing nuclear weapons waiting to take flight and lay siege to their enemies—and probably some loyal civilians, too, if they happen to be in the line of fire.

It’s about to get even worse, as the Dance of the Dragons will soon unleash seven hells onto the rest of Westeros. Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his dragon Vhagar may have delivered the first blow, and Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) may have hired goons that fumbled an assassination. King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) may have directed his grief-fueled wrath toward every rat catcher who worked in the Red Keep to ensure he killed the one responsible for his son’s murder. Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk Cargyll (Luke and Elliott Tittensor, respectively) are now dead after a fight to the death formed through duty and honor, a suicide mission, brotherhood, and unspeakable guilt as Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) watched the carnage unfold.

Ser Criston Cole and Lord Commander of Aegon’s Kingsguard

Westeros is no stranger to ruthless ambition, but few characters in the House of the Dragon ensemble inspire as much vocal animosity as Ser Criston Cole. Played by Fabien Frankel, the Lord Commander of Aegon’s Kingsguard and Queen Alicent’s (Olivia Cooke) new lover has ascended to the top of House of the Dragon’s ultimate shitlist. The character’s journey from a Dornish descent to a powerful political player has been marked by bitter rivalries, broken vows, and unwavering allegiance to the Greens.

What that “something” might be depends on who you talk to. It could be his smarminess, his ingrained sexism toward Rhaenyra on a show that has been sympathetic toward her so far, his inability to admit his faults, his incompetence, or a combination of these traits. Episode 2 embodied all of it as Criston spiraled out, making the depth of viewers’ animosity even more apparent.

Rise Through the Ranks and Alignment With the Greens

Prince Viserys I Targaryen and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen Tourney

An accomplished knight from House Cole, Ser Criston is originally of Dornish descent (one very notable Dornishman from Game of Thrones is Prince Oberyn Martell). Ser Criston first rose to prominence when he competed in a tourney to celebrate King Viserys I Targaryen’s (Paddy Considine) heir and he defeated the confident and accomplished Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) by knocking the sword Dark Sister out of his hands. That display of skill was watched by an enamoured Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and he asked her for her favour afterwards.

Ser Criston was later to be made Rhaenyra’s sworn shield as a member of the Kingsguard, her personal protector, and he grew close to her in the third episode of House of the Dragon when they journeyed through the Kingswood together. In the fourth episode of House of the Dragon, Criston and Rhaenyra are shown to consummate a romance after the Princess initiates a sexual encounter. Criston was torn, as he had sworn a vow of chastity in the Kingsguard, but their desires proved too strong to resist.

In the aftermath, an affair had begun between the pair, but with Rhaenyra set to marry Ser Laenor Velaryon, this left Ser Criston devastated. Despite asking Rhaenyra to run away with him and marry, Ser Criston was left rejected and furious. After confessing his behaviour to Queen Alicent, Ser Criston later beat Ser Joffrey Lonmouth to death at Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding. Later contemplating suicide, Ser Criston was stopped by Alicent at the last moment.

Following a time jump, it’s made clear that after these events, Ser Criston became a firm ally of Alicent in return for her saving him. He tutors Alicent’s son Aemond into becoming a fearsome warrior. Before Aegon’s coronation, Criston is appointed Lord Commander of the Kingsguard by Alicent for his loyalty. Criston crowned Aegon with the crown of the Conqueror and hails him as the true heir, finishing season 1 as a firm ally of the Greens.

Social Media Backlash and Actor Harassment on Instagram

House of the Dragon Season 2 and Fabien Frankel

The character’s descent into hypocrisy, ingrained sexism, and relentless opposition to Rhaenyra has generated a wave of vitriolic social media posts. Look no further than X, which is full of fans posting vitriolic messages about Criston just for showing up in any given scene. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing, who he’s with, or what he might screw up: There’s just something about Criston that makes us go, I fucking hate that guy.

As Criston succeeds, we hate him for it and eagerly anticipate his eventual death (whenever it may arrive), no matter how it may happen. That reaction is a testament to Frankel’s pitch-perfect performance, because we might not hate (or love to hate) Criston as much as we do without it.

Career Background Beyond the Iron Throne

Fabien Frankel plays Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon season 2. Before commanding the Kingsguard in Westeros, Frankel appeared in previous roles.