A–Z Guide to Milly Alcock

At Edible L.A., we’re always on the lookout for the next "seasonal breakout"—whether it’s a new culinary talent in Silverlake or a rising star in Hollywood. Milly Alcock is an Australian actress born on April 11, 2000, in Sydney, New South Wales. She rose to global fame playing young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO's House of the Dragon — and is now set to become the DC Universe's Supergirl.

Here's a quick snapshot of who she is:

She went from dropping out of high school to land a role in an Australian road-trip series, to starring in one of the most-watched shows on HBO. Critic Daniel van Boom of CNET called her "the shining star of House of the Dragon's opening episodes" — and Hollywood clearly agreed.

Her career arc is fast, focused, and genuinely fascinating. From Sydney suburb to West End stage to the DC Universe, Milly Alcock's story is one of real momentum.

Milly alcock definitions:

Long before she was flying dragons or wearing a superhero cape, milly alcock was a young girl growing up in the inner-west suburb of Petersham in Sydney, Australia. Born Amelia May Alcock, she was raised in a family that wasn't necessarily part of the "showbiz" world, but they certainly supported her creative spark. We know that she has a brother, Bert Alcock, and her upbringing in the sunny suburbs of New South Wales provided a grounded foundation for what would become a meteoric rise.

Her first taste of the limelight came in a school production where she played a character called Little Red Rocking Hood—a rock-and-roll twist on the classic fairy tale. This early experience in school plays ignited a passion that couldn't be extinguished. Even in those early days, her early career profile showed a young actress with a natural, "enchantingly expressive" face that would eventually captivate millions of viewers worldwide.

For her secondary education, milly alcock attended the prestigious Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in Sydney. This was a place where her raw talent could be refined among other aspiring artists. During her time there, she didn't just stick to the classroom; she began working professionally, appearing in television commercials and even doing some presenting work for the Disney Channel in Australia.

These early gigs were the building blocks of her career. She wasn't just learning how to act; she was learning how a professional set worked. Whether it was a short spot for a local brand or a hosting segment, Alcock was developing the work ethic that would later impress heavyweights like HBO and DC Studios.

One of the most pivotal moments in milly alcock's life occurred in 2018. She was faced with a massive dilemma: stay in school to finish her final year or drop out to take a lead role in the Foxtel drama Upright. She chose the latter, leaving Newtown High School of the Performing Arts to play the role of Meg Adams, a runaway teenager hitchhiking 2,000 miles across the Australian outback with a piano.

This "all-in" gamble paid off handsomely. Her performance was so raw and compelling that she became one of the youngest nominees ever for an AACTA Award for Best Comedy Performer in 2020. The industry took notice immediately, and that same year, she won the Casting Guild of Australia’s Rising Star Award. It was clear that she didn't need a high school diploma to prove she belonged at the top of her class in the acting world.

After the success of Upright, milly alcock became a fixture on Australian television. She appeared in a string of high-quality series that showcased her range. From the political drama Janet King to the Netflix-distributed spy thriller Pine Gap, she was constantly working. She also had significant roles in the supernatural mystery The Gloaming and the psychological thriller Reckoning.

To understand how she transitioned from these gritty Australian roles to the high-fantasy world of Westeros, it helps to look at the characters she played.

The world changed for milly alcock when she was cast as the young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon. Interestingly, when she got the call, she was living in her family's attic in Sydney and washing dishes to make ends meet. This connection to the service industry—the very heart of the food culture we celebrate at Edible L.A.—makes her eventual rise to the "Realm's Delight" even more compelling. Suddenly, she was being whisked away to the UK to lead a massive HBO production based on the works of George R.R. Martin.

In her breakout interview, she admitted that "things like this don't happen to people like me." Yet, she stepped into the role with an intensity that made her an instant fan favorite. Her portrayal of the "Realm's Delight" was marked by a quiet strength and a fierce independence that resonated with audiences.

While House of the Dragon is her most famous credit, her work on Upright remains a cornerstone of her filmography. Starring alongside Australian icon Tim Minchin for 16 episodes, she proved she could handle both comedy and deep emotional drama. Her chemistry with Minchin was the heart of the show, earning her a Logie Award nomination and cementing her status as a household name in her home country.

Beyond scripted drama, Alcock has also dipped her toes into the music world. She appeared in the music video for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds' song "Easy Now," showing that her "expressive face" works just as well in a five-minute silent performance as it does in a ten-episode epic.

If 2022 was the year of the dragon, 2025 and 2026 are shaping up to be the years of the "Woman of Steel." In early 2024, James Gunn announced that milly alcock had been cast as Kara Zor-El, better known as Supergirl, in the new DC Universe (DCU). This is a massive shift from the political maneuvering of Westeros to the high-flying action of the superhero genre.

Gunn reportedly chose Alcock after seeing her "intensity" in House of the Dragon. He wanted a Supergirl who felt a bit more "edgy" and "darker" than previous iterations—someone who grew up on a rock fragment of Krypton watching everyone she loved die.

The main event for DC fans will be the 2026 film Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. This project is based on the acclaimed comic run by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. Before she leads her own solo movie, however, Alcock is expected to make a cameo appearance in the 2025 Superman film (formerly titled Superman: Legacy).

Filming for the DC projects has taken her back to the UK, where she has been undergoing rigorous superhero training to prepare for the physical demands of the role. At 25 years old, she is the fifth actress to play the character in live-action, but she is the first to do so within this new, interconnected cinematic universe.

While the DCU is taking up a lot of her schedule, milly alcock isn't abandoning prestige television. She is set to star in the upcoming Netflix limited series Sirens, alongside Julianne Moore and Meghann Fahy. Based on the play Elemeno Pea, the show is a dark comedy/drama about class, power, and sisterhood. Alcock will play Simone DeWitt, further proving her ability to hold her own alongside Oscar-winning talent.

She is also expanding her horizons behind the camera. She served as an executive producer on the 2025 short film Based Amy, showing an interest in the production side of the industry that suggests she’s planning for a long and varied career.

The critical acclaim for milly alcock's work has resulted in a shelf full of nominations. In 2023, she received a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in House of the Dragon. She has also been recognized by the Saturn Awards and the IGN Summer Movie Awards.

In 2023, she made a daring move by making her West End debut at the Gielgud Theatre in London. She played the role of Abigail Williams in a new production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Taking on such a complex, villainous role on stage was a bold choice that proved she is a "proper" actress, not just a screen star.

Following her massive success in 2022, milly alcock officially relocated to London. While she maintains strong Sydney roots, the move was a practical one to be closer to the major production hubs of Europe and the United States. Despite her fame, she remains relatively private. She has a strong Instagram presence (@millyalcock), where she shares glimpses of her life, but she generally avoids the tabloid spotlight.

Standing at 5'5" (1.65m), she has often been noted for her striking features and style. Whether she's on a red carpet in a high-fashion gown or in the Australian outback covered in dust, her screen presence is undeniable.

How old is Milly Alcock? She is currently 25 years old. She was born on April 11, 2000.

Where was she born? She was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, specifically in the suburb of Petersham.

What is her most famous role? To date, her most famous role is young Rhaenyra Targaryen in the first season of House of the Dragon.

Who is she playing in the DC Universe? She is playing Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl.

How tall is she? She is 5 feet 5 inches tall (1.65 meters).

At Edible L.A., we are all about seasonal storytelling and celebrating the local culture that makes a place unique—from the farmers' markets in Santa Monica to the historic soundstages of Hollywood. While milly alcock might be an international superstar now, her journey began with local roots and the courage to follow a passion, much like the local farmers and chefs we feature in our magazine.

Her trajectory from the Australian outback to the skies of Metropolis is a testament to talent and timing. As she continues to take on roles that challenge her and entertain us, we look forward to seeing how this "shining star" continues to evolve. Whether she's in London, Sydney, or visiting us here in Hollywood for a film premiere, her story is just beginning.

For more guides on rising stars and local culture, or to learn about the best of what's in season, check out our Seasonal Produce Guide.