# Olivia Cooke
**Olivia Cooke** is a British actress from Oldham, Greater Manchester, known for playing Emma Decody in the A&E series *Bates Motel*, Alicent Hightower in HBO's *House of the Dragon*, and Sidonie "Sid" Baker in Apple TV's *Slow Horses*, alongside film roles in *Me and Earl and the Dying Girl*, *Ready Player One*, and *Sound of Metal*.[1](https://www.aetv.com/shows/bates-motel/cast/olivia-cooke) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/02/olivia-cooke-game-of-thrones-prequel-star-i-had-to-grow-up-so-quickly) Born in 1993, she began performing at age 8 and was working professionally in British television by 18.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/02/olivia-cooke-game-of-thrones-prequel-star-i-had-to-grow-up-so-quickly)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origins | Born in Manchester, raised in Oldham; trained at the Oldham Theatre Workshop from age 8[1](https://www.aetv.com/shows/bates-motel/cast/olivia-cooke) • [3](https://observer.co.uk/culture/interviews/article/olivia-cooke-there-arent-a-lot-of-working-class-actors) |
| First screen role | Meg in the BBC miniseries *Blackout* (2012), opposite Christopher Eccleston[1](https://www.aetv.com/shows/bates-motel/cast/olivia-cooke) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/02/olivia-cooke-game-of-thrones-prequel-star-i-had-to-grow-up-so-quickly) |
| Breakthrough television | Emma Decody in *Bates Motel*, five seasons, 2013 to 2017[4](https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/olivia-cooke-breaking-typecast-1798/) |
| Signature film role | Rachel in *Me and Earl and the Dying Girl* (2015), which won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at Sundance[5](https://time.com/3691792/me-and-earl-and-the-dying-girl-sundance-sundance-film-festival-academy-awards/) |
| Leading television role | Alicent Hightower in *House of the Dragon*, cast in October 2020, playing the part from season 1, episode 6 onward[2](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/02/olivia-cooke-game-of-thrones-prequel-star-i-had-to-grow-up-so-quickly) |
| Return role | Sidonie "Sid" Baker in *Slow Horses*, shot in the head in season 1 and returning in season 6 (2026)[6](https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a73452822/slow-horses-season-6-olivia-cooke-interview-2026/) |
| Recognition | 2018 IMDb STARmeter Award at the Toronto International Film Festival[7](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/IMDb/pr/pdf/IMDbMediaAlert_090818STARmeterTIFF._CB1536423327_.pdf) |
## Early life and training
Cooke grew up in Oldham, a town in [Greater Manchester](https://www.edgepedia.org/greater-manchester), and her early interest in drama was nurtured through a program at the Oldham Theatre Workshop, which she attended from the age of 8.[3](https://observer.co.uk/culture/interviews/article/olivia-cooke-there-arent-a-lot-of-working-class-actors) She has described the workshop as a safe space for her character development, and has spoken about how places like it are losing funding, arguing that without them television, film, and theater draw from too narrow a social pool.[3](https://observer.co.uk/culture/interviews/article/olivia-cooke-there-arent-a-lot-of-working-class-actors) • [8](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/21/olivia-cooke-interview-house-dragon-game-thrones-girlfriend)
At 14 she auditioned for an agent in Manchester and soon joined the agency's books; a casting director working next door then began calling her in for parts.[9](https://www.whowhatwear.com/fashion/cover-features/olivia-cooke) Before her screen career began she appeared in the [One Direction](https://www.edgepedia.org/one-direction) music video "Autumn Term" at 17.[10](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/this-house-of-the-dragon-star-appeared-in-a-one-direction-tour-video-when-she-was-17-11676625) She has no formal drama-school training: she auditioned for RADA and reached the final round, but on the day her rejection letter arrived she received a call offering her the lead in a film.[4](https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/olivia-cooke-breaking-typecast-1798/) • [3](https://observer.co.uk/culture/interviews/article/olivia-cooke-there-arent-a-lot-of-working-class-actors)
## Television beginnings and Bates Motel
Her first professional job was the major supporting role of Meg in *Blackout*, a BBC miniseries produced by Red Productions and directed by [Tom Green](https://www.edgepedia.org/tom-green).[1](https://www.aetv.com/shows/bates-motel/cast/olivia-cooke) When she landed the part of [Christopher Eccleston](https://www.edgepedia.org/christopher-eccleston)'s daughter in the 2012 series, Eccleston suggested her for the BBC's *The Secret of Crickley Hall*, in which she played Nancy, a young 1940s teacher in a tyrannical children's home; within months she had won the role of Emma Decody in *Bates Motel*.[11](https://www.screendaily.com/olivia-cooke-uk-stars-of-tomorrow-2014/5072738.article) • [1](https://www.aetv.com/shows/bates-motel/cast/olivia-cooke)
**Bates Motel.** At 18 Cooke moved to Vancouver to join the cast of the quasi-*Psycho* prequel, playing Emma Decody, a seventeen-year-old with cystic fibrosis, opposite [Freddie Highmore](https://www.edgepedia.org/freddie-highmore) and [Vera Farmiga](https://www.edgepedia.org/vera-farmiga).[8](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/21/olivia-cooke-interview-house-dragon-game-thrones-girlfriend) • [1](https://www.aetv.com/shows/bates-motel/cast/olivia-cooke) The series ran for five seasons from 2013 to 2017, and even in a supporting role Cooke was described by *Backstage* as the show's most underutilized asset.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/02/olivia-cooke-game-of-thrones-prequel-star-i-had-to-grow-up-so-quickly) • [4](https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/olivia-cooke-breaking-typecast-1798/) She later said the show's critical success in the United States gave her "a classier profile."[11](https://www.screendaily.com/olivia-cooke-uk-stars-of-tomorrow-2014/5072738.article)
## Film career
Cooke's early film work ran through horror and genre cinema. She played Jane Harper in *The Quiet Ones* (2014) for Hammer Films, then Haley in *The Signal*, which debuted at the [Sundance Film Festival](https://www.edgepedia.org/sundance-film-festival) in January 2014, and took her first feature lead as Laine Morris in *Ouija* (2014).[1](https://www.aetv.com/shows/bates-motel/cast/olivia-cooke) • [12](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/discovery-olivia-cooke) • [4](https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/olivia-cooke-breaking-typecast-1798/) Within a couple of years she had built a "scream queen" reputation.[4](https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/olivia-cooke-breaking-typecast-1798/)
**The pivot.** Cooke identifies *Me and Earl and the Dying Girl* (2015) as the deliberate choice that changed her career's direction.[4](https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/olivia-cooke-breaking-typecast-1798/) She played Rachel, a high school senior diagnosed with leukemia, in Alfonso Gomez-Rejon's adaptation of Jesse Andrews's novel; the film won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.[5](https://time.com/3691792/me-and-earl-and-the-dying-girl-sundance-sundance-film-festival-academy-awards/) • [13](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/06/me-and-earl-and-the-dying-girl-review) She followed it with the deadpan role of Amanda, a teenager who mimics emotions she does not feel, in Cory Finley's *Thoroughbreds* (2017), opposite [Anya Taylor-Joy](https://www.edgepedia.org/anya-taylor-joy).[4](https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/olivia-cooke-breaking-typecast-1798/)
Her largest studio role came in [Steven Spielberg](https://www.edgepedia.org/steven-spielberg)'s *Ready Player One* (2018), in which she played Samantha Evelyn Cook, also known as Art3mis; she has noted she was directed by Spielberg at 24.[14](https://www.metacritic.com/person/olivia-cooke/) • [9](https://www.whowhatwear.com/fashion/cover-features/olivia-cooke) In Darius Marder's *Sound of Metal* (2019) she played Lou, the partner and bandmate of [Riz Ahmed](https://www.edgepedia.org/riz-ahmed)'s drummer, who loses his hearing; the film became her highest-scored release on Metacritic at 82, against a low of 21 for *Life Itself* (2018).[15](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/olivia-cooke-interview-house-of-the-dragon-b1822467.html) • [14](https://www.metacritic.com/person/olivia-cooke/) For the screamo singing the role required, she undertook voice training with Margaret Chardiet, the noise musician known as [Pharmakon](https://www.edgepedia.org/pharmakon).[15](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/olivia-cooke-interview-house-of-the-dragon-b1822467.html) She has also produced, taking producer credits on *Little Fish* (2020) and *The Good Mother* (2023).[14](https://www.metacritic.com/person/olivia-cooke/)
## House of the Dragon
Cooke plays Alicent Hightower in *House of the Dragon*, HBO's *Game of Thrones* prequel based on [George R. R. Martin](https://www.edgepedia.org/george-r-r-martin)'s *Fire & Blood*, set 200 years before the events of *Game of Thrones*.[16](https://press.wbd.com/us/na/media-release/hbo-0/hbo-original-drama-series-house-dragon-begins-production-season-three) She landed the role in October 2020 after an exhaustive and highly secretive audition process over Zoom, and until then had not even seen *Game of Thrones*.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/02/olivia-cooke-game-of-thrones-prequel-star-i-had-to-grow-up-so-quickly) Because the story spans time jumps, she plays Alicent as an adult from episode six of the first season onward, the character having been childhood best friends with [Rhaenyra Targaryen](https://www.edgepedia.org/rhaenyra-targaryen) before marrying Rhaenyra's father, King Viserys, to become queen.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/02/olivia-cooke-game-of-thrones-prequel-star-i-had-to-grow-up-so-quickly) • [8](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/21/olivia-cooke-interview-house-dragon-game-thrones-girlfriend)
The role made her one of television's most prominent actors, and also brought friction with parts of the audience: she has described harassment from fans of the show and said she grew "protective" of Alicent over time.[8](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/21/olivia-cooke-interview-house-dragon-game-thrones-girlfriend) She remains in the returning cast for the eight-episode third season, which premiered on [HBO Max](https://www.edgepedia.org/hbo-max) on June 21, 2026.[16](https://press.wbd.com/us/na/media-release/hbo-0/hbo-original-drama-series-house-dragon-begins-production-season-three) • [17](https://help.hbomax.com/us-en/Answer/Detail/000002581)
## Slow Horses and recent work
In Apple TV's spy series *Slow Horses*, adapted from [Mick Herron](https://www.edgepedia.org/mick-herron)'s novels, Cooke played Sidonie "Sid" Baker, an accomplished MI6 agent shot in the head and presumably killed in the second episode of season 1.[6](https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a73452822/slow-horses-season-6-olivia-cooke-interview-2026/) She filmed her first-season scenes in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the character's survival was confirmed when she returned in season 6, which premiered on September 16, 2026, after a four-season absence.[18](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/slow-horses-season-6-episode-3-olivia-cooke-interview/) • [19](https://www.apple.com/au/tv-pr/news/2026/09/apple-tv-hosts-world-premiere-for-the-sixth-season-of-slow-horses-at-tiff/) Sid's return mirrors the novels, in which the character comes back in *Slough House*.[20](https://au.variety.com/2026/tv/news/slow-horses-season-6-finale-olivia-cooke-interview-41761/)
Between the two series she starred in *The Girlfriend*, a six-part psychological thriller for Amazon Prime Video opposite Robin Wright, streaming from September 2025.[21](https://www.televisionacademy.com/files/assets/ballots/casting-2026-v1.pdf?bust=260612) • [9](https://www.whowhatwear.com/fashion/cover-features/olivia-cooke) She is attached to *Switzerland*, Anton Corbijn's film about the crime novelist Patricia Highsmith, and in 2026 appeared at the Toronto International Film Festival with *A Talent for Murder*, co-starring Alden Ehrenreich.[8](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/21/olivia-cooke-interview-house-dragon-game-thrones-girlfriend) • [22](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4972453) Along the way she turned down, or lost, major parts: she has described bombing her auditions for Rey in *Star Wars: The Force Awakens*, a role that went to Daisy Ridley.[23](https://au.variety.com/2026/tv/global/olivia-cooke-auditioned-rey-star-wars-really-bad-37914/)
## References
1. [Emma Decody – Bates Motel Cast, A&E](https://www.aetv.com/shows/bates-motel/cast/olivia-cooke)
2. [Elle Hunt (2022). 'I had to grow up so quickly': Olivia Cooke on auditions, ageing, and House of the Dragon. The Guardian.](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/02/olivia-cooke-game-of-thrones-prequel-star-i-had-to-grow-up-so-quickly)
3. [Olivia Cooke: 'There aren't a lot of working-class actors'. The Observer.](https://observer.co.uk/culture/interviews/article/olivia-cooke-there-arent-a-lot-of-working-class-actors)
4. [Briana Rodriguez (2020). Olivia Cooke: Breaking the Typecast. Backstage.](https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/olivia-cooke-breaking-typecast-1798/)
5. [Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Sweeps Top Awards at Sundance Film Festival. Time.](https://time.com/3691792/me-and-earl-and-the-dying-girl-sundance-sundance-film-festival-academy-awards/)
6. [Olivia Cooke Explains Her Surprise Return to Slow Horses. Elle.](https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a73452822/slow-horses-season-6-olivia-cooke-interview-2026/)
7. [Olivia Cooke Receives the IMDb STARmeter Award in Toronto. IMDb PR.](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/IMDb/pr/pdf/IMDbMediaAlert_090818STARmeterTIFF._CB1536423327_.pdf)
8. [Rebecca Nicholson (2026). 'My mum says I'm not working class any more!': Olivia Cooke on power, privilege, and dividing audiences in House of Dragon. The Guardian.](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/21/olivia-cooke-interview-house-dragon-game-thrones-girlfriend)
9. [Ambitions, Imperfections and How She'd Rule for a Day – Olivia Cooke Speaks Her Truth. Who What Wear UK.](https://www.whowhatwear.com/fashion/cover-features/olivia-cooke)
10. [This House Of The Dragon Star Appeared In A One Direction Tour Video When She Was 17. NDTV.](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/this-house-of-the-dragon-star-appeared-in-a-one-direction-tour-video-when-she-was-17-11676625)
11. [Olivia Cooke, UK Stars of Tomorrow 2014. Screen Daily.](https://www.screendaily.com/olivia-cooke-uk-stars-of-tomorrow-2014/5072738.article)
12. [Discovery: Olivia Cooke. Interview Magazine.](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/discovery-olivia-cooke)
13. [Mark Kermode (2015). Me and Earl and the Dying Girl review. The Guardian.](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/06/me-and-earl-and-the-dying-girl-review)
14. [Olivia Cooke. Metacritic.](https://www.metacritic.com/person/olivia-cooke/)
15. [Olivia Cooke: 'Northerners think we're s*** at everything'. The Independent.](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/olivia-cooke-interview-house-of-the-dragon-b1822467.html)
16. [HBO Original Drama Series House of the Dragon Begins Production on Season Three. Warner Bros. Discovery Pressroom.](https://press.wbd.com/us/na/media-release/hbo-0/hbo-original-drama-series-house-dragon-begins-production-season-three)
17. [House of the Dragon Season 3 premiered on HBO Max on June 21, 2026. HBO Max Help.](https://help.hbomax.com/us-en/Answer/Detail/000002581)
18. ['Slow Horses' Star Olivia Cooke Breaks Down Sid and River's Action-Packed Reunion. TheWrap.](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/slow-horses-season-6-episode-3-olivia-cooke-interview/)
19. [Apple TV hosts world premiere for the sixth season of "Slow Horses" at TIFF. Apple TV Press.](https://www.apple.com/au/tv-pr/news/2026/09/apple-tv-hosts-world-premiere-for-the-sixth-season-of-slow-horses-at-tiff/)
20. [Olivia Cooke on Returning to 'Slow Horses,' On-Set Injuries and That Shocking Finale Cliffhanger. Variety.](https://au.variety.com/2026/tv/news/slow-horses-season-6-finale-olivia-cooke-interview-41761/)
21. [2026 Primetime Emmy Awards Ballot, Outstanding Casting. Television Academy.](https://www.televisionacademy.com/files/assets/ballots/casting-2026-v1.pdf?bust=260612)
22. [Olivia Cooke. IMDb.](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4972453)
23. ['House of the Dragon' Star Olivia Cooke Reveals 'Really Bad' Audition for Rey in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'. Variety.](https://au.variety.com/2026/tv/global/olivia-cooke-auditioned-rey-star-wars-really-bad-37914/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 2000s onward › Surnames C*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license