Fabien Frankel was so stressed about filming that he lost sleep and his appetite.
Fabien Frankel is known for, among other things, the movie Last Christmas (2019) and the TV series The Serpent. Bart van der Putten / HBO MAX
Actor Fabien Frankel is a Game of Thrones fan. That’s why he was especially excited to be cast in the new House of Dragon series based on the same story.
French-British Frankel, 28, has done small roles in films and TV series, but with House of Dragon, he steps into a bigger spotlight. His character is the charming knight Criston Cole, who rises to an important position among the royals.
– Of course, it was exciting to make a series that is supposed to be good. I didn’t sleep or eat until the first day of shooting. I thought that “this was a mistake, I shouldn’t have been chosen for this,” he tells Iltalehte.
Frankel is Knight Criston Cole of House of the Dragon. HBO MAX
At the end of filming, however, Frankel was proud of his work. Fatigue also took its toll, as the project was extended by a month due to the corona pandemic. The filming, which started in spring 2021, had strict rules about safety intervals and corona tests were conducted almost every day.
It has been difficult to keep the plot twists of the series a secret from close people.
– I try hard, but sometimes I slip. I could rant to my friend about the death of a character. I’ll probably get fired for telling you about this. Don’t write anything I just said, he laughs.
On the threshold of popularity
Game of Thrones was at the height of its popularity when Frankel started his career. Many actors got their breakthrough with the series.
– It served as a springboard. A friend of mine was in an episode of Game of Thrones, and then he got into Stranger Things.
Frankel himself may be on the verge of mega-popularity. The feeling is confusing.
Frankel trained for the fight scenes with stunt professionals. HBO MAX
– It doesn’t feel like it, because I can’t see into all the living rooms where the series is being watched. Maybe then, if someone stops me on the street, I’ll start to understand. I hope my character is liked.
The suspects are already ready. While visiting Comic-con in California, Frankel overheard a conversation among passers-by.
– Someone pointed at me and said to his friend, “That’s Criston Cole”. The guy replied “Uh, I hate that guy”.
Fabien’s father is actor Mark Frankel, who died in a traffic accident when Fabien was 2 years old. His mother is French. Bart van der Putten / HBO MAX
Frankel has heard that his colleagues took props from the filming of House of the Dragon as souvenirs, even though it is forbidden in principle. He admits that he borrowed one thing.
– I took one shirt for Halloween and I thought I was going to get arrested. My driver was called to “come back, Fabien has a shirt”. I took the shirt but returned it later!