- Primary Subject: Olivia Cooke's decision to deactivate her social media accounts.
- Key Update: House of the Dragon star Olivia Cooke revealed she stepped away from social media after online fandom discourse spiraled into toxic misogyny and racism, calling the space "not nourishing" for her mental health.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: November 10, 2026
- Quick Answer: Olivia Cooke left social media after House of the Dragon fan reactions and toxic online discourse negatively impacted her mental health.
Playing Alicent Hightower in HBO's flagship fantasy series, House of the Dragon, comes with a 24/7 spotlight on digital platforms. Ahead of the show's third season, star Olivia Cooke made the deliberate choice to deactivate her Instagram account and exit online spaces. Here's why.
Why Olivia Cooke Had to Step Away From Social Media Ahead of House of the Dragon Season 3
In a candid discussion about big-budget fantasy series, the British actor revealed to GQ that digital platform spotlights are not all they're cracked up to be.
Cooke pointed out that online discourse around House of the Dragon frequently crossed the line from critical commentary to plain hostility: "There's a lot of ugliness to that fandom as well. It's steeped in misogyny. There's a lot of racism. I try to let it take up minimal mental real estate."
Not to mention, online discourses amongst fans more often than not "catch fire" that "become something that bears no resemblance to what was shown on the screen at the time", as online discourses frequent.
On her social media break, Cooke expressed her fatigue over the modern expectations placed on actors to constantly curate online identities, emphasizing that television and film should prioritize artistic craft over follower counts or brand deals.
What Fans Can Expect From House of the Dragon Season 3
With the Green faction forced to balance severe political turbulence and factional fractures, Alicent Hightower faces complex choices as the war for the Iron Throne escalates.
House of the Dragon season 3 delivers high-stakes military clashes, bringing major Second Age and Fire & Blood lore events to the forefront as Rhaenyra and Aegon II's forces collide in an all-out continental conflict.
As HBO continues expanding its Game of Thrones universe, the flagship prequel series remains on a definitive multi-season track, leading directly into the confirmed upcoming fourth season. Stay tuned!
For now, fans can expect House of the Dragon season 3 to premiere on HBO and Max on June 21, 2026.