HBO's "House of Dragons" introduces viewers to a generation of aristocrats playing "Game of Thrones." The prequel follows a branch of the Targaryen dynasty and focuses on the looming succession battle following the death of King Viserys I (Paddy Constantine). The king nominates his only child, Princess Rainaila (Millie Alcock (open in new tab)), as his successor in the first broadcast, reversing centuries of precedent for female rulers, but then his sudden marriage to Lady Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), the daughter of the king's hand (and former best friend of Rainaila) marriage gives her a chance to name a male heir.

The first season of "HotD" is divided into two timelines, one in which Lenaila and Alicent are young women, and one in which they are mothers, played by Emma Darcy and Olivia Cooke, with their own agendas about who should take the Iron Throne. Since this Sunday's episode is the final one before the time jump, read on to learn more about the talented actress (you've likely seen Carrie in another high-profile role) who plays young Alicent.

The British actress and model, who identifies as queer and uses her/their pronouns, grew up in a family that worked in the theater; in an interview with Rose & Ivy (opens in new tab), she says her grandmother, a former West End wardrobe mistress, helped her backstage with socks during shows She was scouted at the age of eight and began her career in the theater at the age of ten, appearing in the British productions of "The Sound of Music" and "Shrek: The Musical."

After making her television debut in the British medical drama Casualty, Carey's first film role was as young Diana in 2017's Wonder Woman alongside Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen. She followed up that role by playing a young Lara Croft in 2018's Tomb Raider.

Other roles before HotD include an appearance in Netflix's teen thriller "Get Even" and the role of Anastasia in 2020's "Anastasia": also Idina Menzel and Michael Buble's 2014 music video "Baby, It's She also appeared in "Cold Outside.

Carey, 19, shares her life and candid thoughts with fans on her Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok under the handle @TheEmilyCarey. Unfortunately, she had to temporarily delete Twitter earlier this year after appearing at Comic-Con to promote "The House of the Dragon."

"I'm 19, so I'm very aware of things ...... because I'm on all social media and I've worked since I was a kid. Any hatred, it's just . . it's people behind the screen," she told news.com.au. (Open in new tab) "You just move on from it."

"But," she told news.com.au, "you have to move on.

"But I will say I deleted Twitter [after Comic-Con]."

"Even when it's good, it's so much and so loud.

The young versions of Alicent and Renilla last appeared in episode 5, but Carey told The Hollywood Reporter that she hopes to return for the show's next season. ("HotD" was renewed for Season 2 shortly after the series premiered.)

"There's been a lot of talk, there's been a lot of conversation, but honestly, I don't know anything about it, I have no idea. 'Of course I'd love to come back. Of course I want to come back. I'm just going with the flow!"