Game of Thrones star Olivia Cooke says she 'got rid' of Northern accent to be successful

Olivia Cooke dumped her Northern English accent to achieve acting fame

'House of the Dragon' star Olivia Cooke spills on ditching her Northern accent to climb the career ladder. The acclaimed actress, aged 30, who captivates audiences as Alicent Hightower in the gripping 'Game of Thrones' prequel, has spoken out about shedding her Oldham accent, a relic of her working-class upbringing that made her feel inferior to her middle-class colleagues.

Olivia, born to a sales rep mum and policeman dad, opened up to The Times about the "really sad" moment she felt compelled to mute her natural tones: "I put on a voice when speaking to someone with a different upbringing. I'm proud of where I come from but it was a source of embarrassment because I didn't feel as intelligent as others."

She continued to discuss this personal struggle: "I speak about that to my therapist and try not to do it, but I do have a chip on my shoulder about being working class."

Before winning her 'House of the Dragon' spot, Olivia wowed viewers as Becky Sharp in ITV's 'Vanity Fair', fetching her widespread recognition for her portrayal of Thackeray's cunning heroine.

During her candid chat with The Times, Olivia also delved into the increasing difficulty for actors from humble backgrounds to make it in the biz, stating: "It is a really exclusive industry. It's not equitable, the arts are not funded in state schools."

Olivia further highlighted the importance of drama education beyond acting prospects: "But drama class is not just about getting into this industry it can help kids to grow in confidence and feel accepted."

Olivia's youthful appearance belies her character's grandmotherly status in 'House of the Dragon', alongside her on-screen sons played by Ewan Mitchell and Tom Glynn-Carney, both closer to her own age at 27 and 29 respectively.

She also told The Times she thought her casting could reflect how hard it can be for older actresses to get roles, adding: "If they can create dragons, they could have made me look younger and then older."

"I'm grateful for the role but I've just turned 30 and I'm playing a grandma. "There is a real reticence to see women age on screen. "".