Matt Smith, best known for playing Daemon Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon, has expressed his strong views on trigger warnings, claiming they impede storytelling. In a recent interview with The Times, Smith expressed concern that trigger warnings and disclaimers shown before TV episodes or films to alert viewers of potentially disturbing content are overly restrictive and can diminish the impact of complex narratives.
Smith argued that trigger warnings could undermine the purpose of storytelling, asking, “Isn’t the point to be shocked, surprised, or aroused?” He believes audiences should be prepared to engage with morally challenging stories without prior warnings that might lessen their impact. “We should be telling morally difficult stories, especially nowadays,” said Smith, criticizing what he sees as a trend of downplaying the content.
Smith’s acting career has been marked by a number of complex and often polarizing characters. Smith’s portrayals of the conspiratorial Daemon Targaryen in The Crown, the cold Prince Philip in The Crown, and the terrifying Charles Manson in Charlie Says have all garnered strong reactions.
When asked if he is attracted to these challenging roles, Smith replied, “100 percent! That’s the best part.” He believes that playing such characters is vital to storytelling, even if it means telling morally ambiguous or disturbing stories. These roles allow Smith to explore deeper themes as well as challenge the audience.
Trigger warnings are becoming more common in the modern television landscape, with platforms like Netflix leading the way. Shows like The Politician and Stranger Things include warnings about sensitive topics like mental health and gun violence. The rise in such disclaimers has raised questions about whether they are necessary or risk censoring content.
Smith is skeptical of this trend, believing it has the potential to homogenise storytelling. He argues that excessive policing of stories can deter audiences from confronting and considering difficult topics. This view is particularly relevant as House of the Dragon has had a history of controversy over its depiction of graphic scenes without prior warning.
Smith reflected on his own encounters with triggering material, recalling watching films such as Slither and Basic Instinct at a young age and admitting that some of these experiences were very intense. He admitted, “I was too young to watch them.” Despite this, he sees such experiences as part of maturation and learning to deal with complex emotions.
Smith’s criticism of trigger warnings extends to what he sees as a larger cultural debate. He cites the backlash over recent changes in the casting of iconic roles, such as the new Doctor in Doctor Who, as examples of the larger issues at hand. “People attacking Doctor Who just amazes me,” said Smith, referring to critics of the show’s more diverse casting choices.
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