House of Dragon Actor Fabien Frankel Turns Off Instagram Comments After Facing Hate For His Role

In 2019, the original Game of Thrones came to a close, yet Joffrey Baratheon remained widely despised as one of television’s most “detested” characters. Apparently, House of the Dragon has a new love-to-hate character. Of course, we are referring to Fabien Frankel’s portrayal of Ser Criston Cole. Since season 1, when Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) rejected him, Cole has progressively become more reprehensible. His resentment has been simmering under the surface of a suppressed misogynistic stew ever since. Frankel has reportedly limited comments on his posts due to fans directing hateful remarks at him, as if he were truly Ser Criston Cole.

Although fans were first making jokes about his conduct, it is obvious that things have gone out of hand. Following several hateful comments from followers on his Instagram posts, Frankel has now disabled the comments section.

The renowned account @DiscussingFilm broke the story on X (formerly Twitter) by sharing a screenshot of the abusive comments the actor was getting.

“How did you go from being the most liked character and becoming the worst character in GOT history?” read one comment.

“Where were you when the heir to the throne was murdered?” asked another user.

“I hate you” comments were made by several individuals.

But numerous others have also shown support for the actor.

An X user stated that Frankel is too “talented and sexy” to be forced into an early retirement.

Another user gave a shoutout to the actor for his “amazing” portrayal of the character.

Meanwhile, a third user has urged fans to separate the character from the person behind it.

“I wish people could learn to separate fiction from reality,” said another user.

This reaction from the viewers stems from Criston Cole’s actions in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2.

Cole informs Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) that he cannot be redeemed after breaching his pledge as a Kingsguard member.

On the other hand, he goes on to make an effort to dispel suspicions about himself by dispatching Ser Arryk Cargyll to kill his twin brother Erryk.

Notwithstanding his transgressions, he convinces Ser Arryk of their pledges and sanctity.

As a knight from House Cole, Criston Cole attained the rank of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard under Viserys I Targaryen. He initially had a cordial connection with Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys’s daughter, but eventually, they became hostile.

Criston persuaded Viserys’ son, Prince Aegon the Elder, to seize control of the Seven Kingdoms after his father passed away. As a result, Aegon II and Rhaenyra, his older half-sister whom Viserys had long since announced to be his heir, engaged in a civil war– Dance of the Dragons.