Olivia Cooke compares anti-abortion laws in Texas to medieval world of Westeros

Actress Olivia Cooke slammed America’s new anti-abortion laws on Saturday, comparing Texas to the fictional medieval-based world of Westeros. 

The House of the Dragon star, 28, spoke on the issue over a month after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court in a landmark ruling on June 24.  

‘It’s so reflective of [the Game of Thrones] world,’ she told the Daily Telegraph.

She continued: ‘And this is set in a fantasy world that is loosely based on a more medieval time and yet we are still dealing with the same themes.

‘It is incredibly disheartening. Women in Westeros, they’re expected to breed as early in age as possible and in Texas, that’s the same.’

Texas banned abortion from the moment of conception days after the legislation, which held the medical procedure as a constitutional right, was overturned 50 years after its inception. 

The House of the Dragon star spoke on the issue over a month after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court in a landmark ruling on June 24, singling out Texas. (Pictured with House of the Dragon cast at the series’ World Premiere on July 27 in Los Angeles)

The southern state is one of 14 other state governments which have outright banned or heavily restricted abortion. 

Olivia, who made a name for herself as Becky Sharp in the ITV period drama Vanity Fair, didn’t realise how ‘topical’ the strict patriarchal laws of the world in House of the Dragon would be.

In the land of Westeros, the continent in which the hit TV series Game of Thrones and it’s prequel are set, men typically rule while the women are expected to serve them and bear their children. 

Texas banned abortion from the moment of conception days after the legislation, which held the medical procedure as a constitutional right, was overturned 50 years after its inception. (Pictured: Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence at Rally for Abortion Justice in New York City)

Olivia hopes the confronting plot will force viewers to reflect on current social norms and the restriction of women’s rights across the world. 

‘Hopefully, but who knows?’ she said. ‘I didn’t realise how topical it would be, especially now at the point of release.’ 

House of the Dragon tells the story surrounding a civil war dubbed the Dance of Dragons.

In the land of Westeros, the continent in which the hit TV series Game of Thrones and it’s prequel are set, men typically rule while the women are expected to serve them and bear their children. (Pictured as Lady Alicent Hightower alongside Rhys Ifans as her father Lord Otto)

It depicts another power struggle for the Iron Throne, this time between King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) and the Hand of the King Lord Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). 

Their daughters Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Lady Alicent Hightower (Olivia) are at the centre of it as rivals for the crown. 

House Of The Dragon will be available to stream on BINGE and watch on Foxtel from August 22.  

Olivia hopes the confronting plot will force viewers to reflect on current social norms and the restricition of women’s rights across the world