Olivia Cooke

Olivia Cooke is a British actress who has built an impressive career spanning television and film, becoming best known for her role as Alicent Hightower in HBO’s House of the Dragon. Born on December 27, 1993, in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, Cooke developed her acting skills at the Oldham Theatre Workshop, the same youth theater that produced other notable British talents. She moved to London as a teenager to pursue acting professionally.

Cooke’s early career saw her land significant roles in both British and American productions. She starred as Emma Decody in the A&E series Bates Motel (2013-2017), which gave her five seasons of steady work and exposure to American audiences. During this period, she also appeared in well-received films including Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015) and Thoroughbreds (2017), both of which showcased her ability to deliver emotionally complex performances.

Her profile elevated significantly with her role as Art3mis/Samantha Cook in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One (2018), a major studio blockbuster that introduced her to a global audience. She followed this with Sound of Metal (2019), the Oscar-winning film starring Riz Ahmed, where she played a supporting role. However, it was her casting as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon (2022-present) that cemented her status as a leading actress. The Game of Thrones prequel became one of HBO’s biggest shows, and Cooke’s portrayal of the calculating queen earned widespread critical praise.

With House of the Dragon continuing to be one of television’s biggest properties and a steady stream of film work, Cooke’s estimated net worth stands at $5 million. She has proven herself equally adept at intimate independent films and massive franchise productions, making her one of the most versatile British actresses of her generation.