'House of the Dragon': Who is Ser Criston Cole? Fabien Frankel's character had not-so-noble relationship with Rhaenyra
The audience usually loves the 'underdog' character in any series but when it comes to 'Game Of Thrones', the 'underdog' character usually has a lot of substance to them. Remember Jon Snow from the sequel series? Similarly, Ser Criston Cole has a similar aura to his character in 'Game Of Thrones: House Of The Dragon'. It is just a matter of time for the 'GoT' fans to figure out if they like what Ser Criston Cole is bringing to the table or not.
At the SDCC, 'Game Of Thrones: House Of The Dragon' starter Fabien Frankel spoke to Extra about his character where he said, "He is quiet and an “underdog.” Frankel added, “He plays quite an integral part in how the politics kind of unravels.” Frankel teased that there will be “a lot of fighting on the show.” He also opened up about his experience with the “Game of Thrones” fandom at Comic-Con, calling it “surreal.” Psyched to know more about the underdog aka Ser Criston Cole? Read more to find out about this fascinating character of the show.
RELATED ARTICLES:
'House of the Dragon' on HBO: Who is Eve Best's character Rhaenys Targaryen?
According to the book, 'Fire & Blood' written by George R R Martin, Ser Criston Cole was a knight from House Cole who rose to become Lord Commander of the Kingsguard for Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine). His relationship with Viserys's daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), was first friendly and then malicious.
Criston convinced Viserys's son, Prince Aegon the Elder, to claim the rule of the Seven Kingdoms as his father lay dead. This led to the "Dance of the Dragons," a civil war between Aegon II and his elder half-sister, Rhaenyra, whom Viserys had long groomed as his successor. For this, the knight became known as Criston the Kingmaker. Criston also served as Hand of the King for Aegon II during part of the war.
Having said that, according to the official synopsis of the character by HBO, "Ser Criston Cole was of Dornish descent, he is the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven. He has no claim to land or titles; all he has to his name is his honor and his preternatural skill with a sword."
Wondering how did a commoner become a kingmaker? Don't worry we have all the bases covered.
Criston won a melee at the tourney at Maidenpool to celebrate the ascension of King Viserys I Targaryen to the Iron Throne, drawing the attention of the royal court by knocking Dark Sister from the hands of Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) with his morningstar. He gave the victor's laurel to the seven-year-old Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, whose favor he wore while unhorsing Daemon in the joust, as well as the twins Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk Cargyll of the Kingsguard, before being unhorsed by Lord Lymond Mallister. Thereafter, King Viserys indulged Rhaenyra by naming Criston her personal sworn shield. Then the 23-year-old Criston became a member of the Kingsguard, taking the place of the legendary Ser Ryam Redwyne.
But we don't know yet if the HBO series will show it in such an extensive manner, to find out tune into HBO or HBO Max on Sunday, August 21, 2022, to watch 'Game Of Thrones: House Of The Dragon' first episode.