House of the Dragon cast defend Baela and Alyn incest scene in season 3 episode 6

Yet another incestuous relationship strikes up in House of the Dragon season three episode six, this time between Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) and Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim). But the cast insist there’s more to them than meets the eye. 

Just like real life historical monarchies, George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world is packed full of incest, whether it’s the infamous brother-sister relationship between Game of Thrones’ Jaime and Cersei Lannister or Rhaenyra marrying her uncle Daemon in House of the Dragon.

Let’s just say they like to keep it in the family, especially the Targaryens. Who else remembers Raymun telling Dunk in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms that the Targaryens are all “incestuous aliens”?

This has continued in House of the Dragon season three, with Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) making our skin crawl by passionately kissing his mother Alicent (Olivia Cooke). 

Last week, it seemed yet another incestuous relationship was set to unfold between Baela and her half uncle Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty). But as is revealed in season three episode six, the real bond is between Baela and Addam’s brother, Alyn (also her half uncle).

Alyn approaches Baela while she’s resting after another dragon patrol and asks her to speak to Corlys (Steve Toussaint), hoping she can persuade the Sea Snake to throw his full support behind Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) war effort.

The conversation soon becomes more personal as the pair bond over the emotional distance of their fathers. Baela recognises Alyn as “very dutiful” and says it must be “wearisome, tending to everyone else all the time” as she walks up to him. 

“Don’t you ever want to forget it all?” she asks, and the pair unexpectedly kiss. 

There have been plenty of comments complaining about yet another incestuous couple, but Baela and Alyn stars Bethany Antonia and Abubakar Salim argue their relationship stands out for a different reason. 

Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon must surely have an incest promotion agenda

— Sume Rossini 🇹🇿 (@Supersume) July 27, 2026

Appearing on the House of the Dragon podcast, Abubakar said the scene “was like a lovely moment to physicalise the feelings that have been there, that have been kind of simmering and boiling underneath.”

Co-host Greta Johnsen then bluntly asked, “What do you think about the incest of it all?” 

Abubakar quipped, “This is a trick, right? Because if I try and justify this, it sounds terrible. But then if I say, like, ‘No, it’s not real,’ everyone’s gonna be like, ‘You don’t love her. Jace should’ve survived.’ 

“Well, you know what? I’m just gonna sit in it. I’m gonna take it in. It’s love, guys. It’s love. They love each other. They love each other deeply. You cannot break love.”

Bethany then pointed out what’s so rare about their relationship: it’s kind. “I remember when we were shooting it, we were saying there’s not many couples in the show who just like each other, you know?” she said.  

“There’s no drama. They’re not trying to win anything. They just fancy each other. And it’s really nice. Let them just have it.”

Another thing you should know about their relationship is that it is canon – after Jace’s death, Baela and Alyn get married, with the pair remaining together long after the Dance of the Dragons. Hopefully that knowledge eases the discomfort. 

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Featured images credit: HBO