House of the Dragon: Cole's death explained by star

Fabien Frankel, the actor behind Criston Cole in House of the Dragon, has spoken about the character's demise in the episode "Faceless Men." Cole's final moments saw him receiving three arrows, one striking his face, which was a notable alteration from George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood." Frankel acknowledged Cole's divisive nature, noting that the character often represented the realm's weariness with the ongoing war.

Frankel's last scene as Cole involved a desperate fight against multiple opponents. He aimed to portray the exhaustion inherent in such combat, contrasting it with the often-proficient depictions in media. The actor also detailed the practicalities of filming the death scene, including the makeup for the arrow wound. He shared reflections on Cole's final moments, holding Alicent's handkerchief, and considered the character's potential reaction to being killed by a woman.

Reflecting on Cole's journey, Frankel highlighted two particularly powerful speeches from the character. He also discussed Cole's interaction with Gwayne Hightower, expressing affection for the character's offer and Cole's grateful yet matter-of-fact refusal. The actor also touched on fan theories and deleted scenes that offered more insight into Cole's humanity.