"Steven Toussaint from the show 'House of the Dragon' asserts that every individual merits representation in the media."
The actor who plays Lord Corlys Velaryon on 'House of the Dragon' is beginning the sophomore season of the show on a more positive note than the first, which faced backlash over his casting due to his race. Toussaint has revealed that the negative response he received initially has been overshadowed by the praise he's received from viewers who appreciate the representation. "The amount of people, not just people of color, who contacted me on social media or through letters, expressing their happiness to see this representation in the world, is incredible," he shared during a press conference.
'House of the Dragon' is based on the book 'The Targaryen Dynasty: The House of the Dragon' by George R.R. Martin. In the book, members of House Velaryon are described as white, but for the TV series, black actors were cast. The decision drew criticism from some book fans. Toussaint told The Hollywood Reporter last year that he was racially abused on social media after his casting was announced.
Showrunner Ryan Condal spoke with Entertainment Weekly in 2022 about the criticisms 'Game of Thrones' faced for its lack of diversity, which informed the casting decisions for 'House of the Dragon.' "The world is very different now than it was 10 years ago when 'Game of Thrones' started," he said. "It was important to create a show that was not just another bunch of White people on the screen."
At the press conference on Monday, Toussaint shared a similar sentiment, stating, "We're living in a world where everyone's here, and I think everyone has a right to be represented... There are voices out there that would argue against that, but I think those of us who want to see that world, history is on our side."
'House of the Dragon' tells the story of House Targaryen during a 200-year-old civil war. The show stars Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D'Arcy, Eve Best, Bethany Antonia, and Fabien Frankel, among others. The second season of the show will be available to stream on Max on June 16th.
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The positive feedback Steven Toussaint has received for his role in 'House of the Dragon' highlights the importance of entertainment that represents diverse individuals. Many viewers appreciated seeing representation in the series, which was criticized initially due to Toussaint's casting.
During a press conference, Toussaint expressed his belief that everyone deserves to be represented in media, echoing the showrunner's commitment to diversity in 'House of the Dragon.'
