How Steve Toussaint handled the ‘online noise’ against his casting in ‘House of the Dragon’
Toussaint (left) with Eve Best in “House of the Dragon”—PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO GO
The warring Targaryens may rule over the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros in HBO’s “House of the Dragon.” But there’s one clan Alicent and Rhaenyra cannot easily push aside: House Velaryon.
The Velaryons are headed by the mighty Lord Corlys (played by 57-year-old British thespian Steve Toussaint) and his wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best). Aside from being wealthy and powerful, the man referred to as Sea Snake is said to be “the most famous seafarer in Westeros history.”
Here’s our quick Q&A with Steve about his experience in the wildly popular show that’s currently streaming on HBO Go:
What’s the one question you would love to ask “A Song of Ice and Fire” author George RR Martin if you met him?
Oh, my gosh. I have actually met George. Earlier today, we kind of alluded to this and the fact that he’s really this wonderful, inoffensive, kindly looking man in person.
I’d ask him: Where on Earth did all this carnage, violence or darkness come from (laughs)? What’s happened in your childhood that has created this diabolical world? Yeah, maybe I should really ask him the next time I see him … maybe tomorrow.
Could you describe what it was like getting cast in something that’s been hugely anticipated by viewers?
Normally, the jobs that I’ve done, whether good, bad or different, very few people know about them (laughs). When they come out, people either like them or they don’t. This is only the second time in my career where I’ve done something that seemed like the whole world was waiting for it.
So, doing “House of the Dragon” has really been an interesting experience for me. But then, you have to put it to the back of your brain because you can’t play people’s expectations; you can only play what’s in front of you. So, you simply try to ignore all of that.
How did you feel about wearing the wig and facial hair to create and enhance your character?
Great … I felt sexy (laughs)! In my career, I think I’ve used wigs only two or three times … I’m not really a big fan of wigs. And I don’t normally have facial hair. So, when they told me that I needed to stop shaving, I was like, “Oh, no. Do I really need to have a beard? Aw, come on.” And they were adamant.
Steve Toussaint —PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO/RACHEL SMITH
But when I saw the finished product, I was like, “Hmm … that’ll work (laughs).” It’s amazing because there was a point where one of our directors, Greg [Yaitanes, who directed the series’ “The Black Queen,” “Second of His Name” and “The Rogue Prince” episodes], said to me while I was walking onto set, “You look like a rock star!” And that was exactly what I was trying to play. So yes, I was fine after that.
When you were cast, you had to deal with some online noise for a while because of the change in the race of your character. How do you protect yourself from useless banter?
Indeed, there has been some. I’ve said to somebody before that I am not an expert in racial abuse or discrimination … I’m just very experienced at receiving it. I’ve been on this Earth for a very long time, so this isn’t something new to me.
The first time it happened that had to do with this series, it was so blatant. In fact, it was a bit of a shock, because no one has ever called me the N word to my face in a very, very, very long time. But that started happening on the day this show was announced … somebody referred to me in that way. And I was thought, “Oh my God!” But I can’t say that I was surprised by it.
In terms of protecting myself, you just have to get on with it. There are people around me … my castmates, the production staff, my friends and family … who don’t think or feel that way—and knowing that was more than enough.
I was also heartened by the fact that when I mentioned this, so much support flooded in from other fans, who said, “We’re not all like that … this is a minority thing.”
I have faith in the human race. I fundamentally believe that most people are decent human beings. We know what’s right and what’s wrong. There are just some people who hide behind their keyboards … because there’s probably something missing in their lives. So, they have to spread this particular poison to everyone else.
But I refuse to overthink or linger on their negativity. Because if I allow that to affect me, it means they’ve won—and I can’t let that happen. INQ
