There’s no character in House of the Dragon so hated by fans other than Ser Criston Cole. Fabien Frankel played the role so effectively that everyone who had a crush on him instantly changed their mind. They even nicknamed him Crispy Cole, but this was more of Daemon Targaryen’s doing.
Remember their first scene in the prequel series? Criston and Daemon battled each other at the tournament held in the first season in honor of King Viserys’ ninth year of ruling at King’s Landing and to welcome the birth of Prince Baelon Targaryen. It was quite a short fight, but many things happened behind the scenes.
Fabien Frankel and Matt Smith’s Fight Rehearsal Got A Little Too Intense
While attending Comic Con 2022, Matt Smith revealed he suffered an injury while filming for the first episode of House of the Dragon. Fabien Frankel immediately admitted he was the culprit who accidentally struck his costar. He joked at the panel interview (via Metro UK): “God, of all the people that I could have possibly axed in the face, Matt was the worst one.”
Frankel was so scared he would get fired after the mishap, but thankfully, he was only using a prop weapon so Smith recovered in no time. The 30-year-old star shared that they were cool with each other and they had a good laugh after it happened. The duo spent the end of the day going to a pub and getting some drinks.
In his interview with Variety, the actor explained more clearly what truly happened during their rehearsal. Smith’s sword rebounded off Frankel’s shield and unexpectedly hit the Doctor Who actor in the head. “Actually, this is Matt Smith’s fault. I take no responsibility,” Frankel joked.
Minor accidents happen most of the time while practicing intense fight scenes, and as fans have seen, Smith was very much alive and kicking in the show. “He is a brave man,” said Frankel while expressing utmost admiration for his costar.
Prince Daemon and Ser Criston’s epic duel at the tournament was indeed one of the most exciting moments in the pilot episode.
Why Is Ser Criston Cole Called ‘Crispy Cole’?
Daemon and Criston had less screen time together in the second season following the rift between the Blacks and the Greens. Most of the Rogue Prince’s time was spent in Dragonstone and Harrenhal, while the Hand of the King remained in King’s Landing.
But apart from the tournament, one of the most iconic moments between them was when Daemon mistook Criston’s name for Crispin.
“Ser Crispin, isn’t it?” asked Daemon. He was immediately corrected and afterward admitted he couldn’t recall. Criston said, “Perhaps my prince recalls when I knocked him off his horse.” Daemon just sarcastically laughed at Cole’s comment. Since then, netizens have started calling the knight ‘Crispy Cole’ whenever he gets a little too annoying in the show.
The dynamics between these two characters are so entertaining and fans are certainly wishing for them to have more interactions in the upcoming season.
House of the Dragon is currently available to watch on HBO.
