Who is Abigail Thorn? All about the House of the Dragon finale star

In the finale of House of the Dragon Season 2, Admiral Sharako Lohar, portrayed by Abigail Thorn, storms into the plot with undeniable presence. The episode introduces Lohar in a meeting fraught with tension and surprise. Initially expected to be a man due to the patriarchal tones of the era, Lohar's introduction as a commanding woman shakes up traditional expectations.

House of the Dragon season 2 dives deeper into the fiery rivalries and relationships that define the world of Westeros nearly two centuries before the events of Game of Thrones. As the storyline unfolds, viewers are thrust into the thick of the Targaryen civil war famously known as the 'Dance of the Dragons'.

Abigail Thorn, born on April 24, 1993, in Newcastle, England is known for her work as a YouTuber, actress, and playwright. She gained prominence through her YouTube channel Philosophy Tube which she started in 2013 as a response to the spike in university tuition fees in England.

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What you need to know about Abigail Thorn

Abigail Thorn's YouTube channel is aimed at providing free philosophy lessons that have evolved over the years, from straightforward educational videos to theatrical productions featuring elaborate sets and costumes, attracting over a million subscribers.

Thorn's creative endeavors extend beyond YouTube as she has made major strides in acting and writing notably in her play The Prince which ran in Off-West End in 2022. The transgender-themed work draws on characters from Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1 exploring themes of identity and self-awareness. Her commitment to theater and performance was also evident in her charity livestream on Twitch in 2019, where she raised over £100,000 for Samaritans by reading the complete works of Shakespeare.

In 2021, Thorn publicly came out as a transgender woman in a heartfelt video she shared that also addressed broader societal issues affecting the trans community. Her transition has been a profound journey of self-discovery and advocacy that she openly shares with her audience, challenging societal norms and promoting a message of inclusivity and understanding.

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Abigail Thorn's portrayal of Admiral Lohar in House of the Dragon

In House of the Dragon Season 2, Admiral Lohar is a leader of a formidable Triarchy fleet and finds herself at the core of strategic discussions with Ser Tyland Lannister. Lannister's task is to forge an alliance and bolster the Green Targaryen faction against their rivals. Despite expectations, he discovers that Lohar is referred to using he/him pronouns by the Triarchy members, and commands respect through sheer competence, with an unconventional approach to gender roles in a male-dominated sphere.

Abigail Thorn's portrayal of Lohar in House of the Dragon Season 2 is quite complex and layered. Thorn brings much-needed character depth to Lohar, featuring strength with a nuanced understanding of gender dynamics in leadership. She portrays how Lohar navigates her role with a mix of masculinity and femininity, challenging the norms of the time.

Lohar's character is enriched by the creative liberties taken by the show's creators including Ryan Condal and Sara Hess beyond her literary counterpart in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood where Lohar is more of a peripheral figure. The adaptation for the screen builds her persona and makes her a military leader along with being a symbol of resilience and adaptation in a world rigid with traditional gender roles.

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You can watch House of the Dragon season 2 on HBO.