July 10, 2026, 8:02 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The third season of “House of the Dragon” kicked off with a bang: war, dragons, deaths, and right in the middle, Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith, 43. The British actor cuts an impressive figure in martial armor and shows off his fitness in battle scenes. But it wasn’t always this way. Before taking on the role of the dragon rider in 2022, his fitness wasn’t in great shape. He has shared how he transformed it in various interviews since the series began. FITBOOK has the details.
Before Matt Smith took on the role of the rebellious warrior, he found success with the series “Doctor Who” and “The Crown.” His portrayals of the Doctor and Prince Philip impressed fans worldwide, but physically, they were far less demanding than the prequel to the mega-hit series “Game of Thrones.”
In “House of the Dragon,” Smith once again delights with his acting talent, but also with his impressive presence. He convincingly plays the unpredictable elite fighter—thanks to fast-paced choreography and the necessary fitness level of the 43-year-old. This wasn’t always a given for Matt Smith, as shown by a statement he made in 2019, quoted by “GQ“: “I was in terrible shape.”
It All Started with a Nutrition Strategy
The start of Matt Smith’s transformation sounds simple because it follows a straightforward rule. However, anyone who has tried to change habits or give up indulgences knows: Implementing it in everyday life is often difficult. But the actor managed it: He drinks less alcohol than before and pays more attention to his calorie intake. Although he wasn’t living completely alcohol-free at the time of the “GQ” interview, he had apparently significantly reduced his consumption. “I just pay more attention to myself now, that’s all. I was in terrible shape. But I still love to have a beer occasionally. Although now I do this terrible thing: counting calories. Do you know how many calories are in a pint of beer? It’s like eating a slice of white bread with sweet spread.”
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Dragon Riding and Fighting
A part of Matt Smith’s physical transformation is classically owed to strength training at the gym. There, he trained himself into Daemon Targaryen form and prepared for the strenuous shooting days that included riding a mechanical dragon. A simulator mimicked the movements of a dragon, which, according to “Variety,” brought Matt Smith a lot of fun on set, but also meant hard work.
This scenario can probably be compared to riding a mechanical bull. Long shooting days with fight scenes also require a certain level of fitness from Matt Smith. “The work involves a lot of stunts, and that was challenging over a long period. It’s a big, ten-month production. So it was really physically demanding,” Smith said shortly after filming the first season of “House of the Dragon.”
Strength Training for General Well-being
However, the actor hasn’t just been going to the gym since landing the role in “House of the Dragon.” After primarily playing a lot of soccer in his youth, he discovered strength training in his mid-thirties. In interviews, he revealed that this training benefits him both physically and mentally. “I go to the gym three times a week,” the Brit is quoted by “Men’s Health.” “It makes me feel much better about my life, I must say. It’s just good for my head.”