“House of the Dragon” breakout Clinton Liberty jokes about his tense dragon scene: 'Why are you running?'

Liberty, who plays Addam of Hull in the series, also shared behind-the-scenes photos from his big episode.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6, "Smallfolk."

Running from dragons — it does a body good.

House of the Dragon newcomer Clinton Liberty has only starred in a couple of episodes on the Game of Thrones prequel series' second season, but he already conquered a huge hurdle: surviving a dance with a dragon.

Liberty plays what first appeared to be an unassuming character: shipwright Addam of Hull. But we soon learn he's much more than a shipwright at the end of episode 6, "Smallfolk." In a thrilling moment, Addam runs from the dragon Seasmoke across a sandy beach and through a small forest before finally stumbling to the ground and meeting the creature face-to-face.

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This week, Liberty shared behind-the-scenes photos from that epic chase scene, as well as his training method to obtain a fit physique. "Workout routine: running from dragons," he wrote in the caption of a photo on X (formerly Twitter) that shows him posing shirtless with visible ab muscles.

Related: What are dragonseeds? Explaining Rhaenyra's plan on House of the Dragon

The star also posted a still from episode 6 that shows him running for his life with Seasmoke soaring overhead. "Why are you running," he quipped.

Fans seemed to love Liberty's humorous commentary about his own character. In a statement posted to his social media accounts on Tuesday night, Liberty thanked his supporters. "My heart is filled with gratitude and joy from all your love and support from our the world!" he wrote. "Thank you guys for being the best family!"

<p>MAX</p> Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull on 'House of the Dragon' season 2

MAX

Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull on 'House of the Dragon' season 2

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In episode 6, Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) is seeking new dragon riders in the ongoing war between the Blacks and the Greens. She asks Ser Steffon Darklyn (Anthony Flanagan) to step up to the plate since he has Targaryen ancestry. Unfortunately, that wasn't good enough for Seasmoke, who scorches the knight just when he thinks he's in the clear.

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Seasmoke sent a message: he wants to choose his own rider. Later in the episode, he finds Addam and chases him until that fateful meeting. Seasmoke lowers his head until he's inches away from the future dragon-rider. But he doesn't attack with fire; instead, Seasmoke peers down at him like an old friend, cooing softly.

Related: Meet Alyn of Hull: House of the Dragon season 2 reveals the Velaryon sailor making a splash

Then Rhaenyra hears the news: Seasmoke has a rider. That tells us Addam successfully bonded with Seasmoke! Rhaenyra quickly mounts her own dragon, Syrax, to find out the identity of the rider as the episode ends.

Addam's arc is just getting started. In a preview of the season's seventh episode, airing Sunday, July 28, Rhaenyra and Addam face off on a beach, flanked by their dragons. "You stand with a dragon of House Targaryen! What do you want?" she asks him in the preview.

It appears Rhaenyra didn't get the memo from Lord Corlys Velaryon about his bastard sons — which includes Addam.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.