Despite being a divisive figure, Cole’s presence spans all ten episodes of the season
In a season full of character shifts and time jumps, House of the Dragon has seen numerous characters come and go. While some major figures were noticeably absent in certain episodes, one character has remained consistently present throughout all ten episodes: Ser Criston Cole, portrayed by Fabien Frankel.
Many fans might have expected figures like Rhaenyra or Daemon Targaryen to be the only ones to appear in every episode, but they were missing in the ninth episode, which focused on the coronation of King Aegon II. Instead, it was Cole who appeared in all episodes, standing out as the only character to do so.
Frankel’s portrayal of Cole has been a subject of mixed reactions. While the actor is praised for his performance, his character’s descent into villainy has earned him a less favourable reception from fans. In episode nine, fans were particularly vocal, calling for Cole’s demise after his morally questionable actions, only to see him face no immediate consequences.
There has also been a recurring joke among viewers regarding Cole’s apparent lack of ageing throughout the series. Despite several significant time jumps, Frankel’s character appears unchanged, even as other characters have been recast to reflect their growing years.
The season finale of House of the Dragon will air in the UK on Sky Atlantic on Monday, 24 October, at 2am, with a repeat showing later at 9pm.
