With TV fans overjoyed to be back in the world of Game of Thrones thanks to its equally bloody prequel House of the Dragon, millions are now getting to know more about those who make up the cast of this fantasy epic.
That being said, many UK and Manc viewers, in particular, have been surprised to learn that one of the central characters was born and raised right here in 0161: none other than the Lady Alicent Hightower.
Now the second wife and Queen to King Viserys I Targaryen, who has been portrayed by two actors after the show has jumped forward 10 years, she is now played by none other than local lass Olivia Cooke.
Not only has the 28-year-old actor been a familiar face on both the silver and small screen for many years now, but she also happens to be from Oldham.
Credit: HBO
From ‘Owdham Roughyed’ to Hollywood movie star and now Westerosi Queen. Not bad going.
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The Hollywood actor has starred in everything from One Direction music videos and Amazon shows like Modern Love to Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, the hit US TV adaptation of Bates Motel and many more.
With that in mind, people who have been watching her in House of the Dragon or in her various projects over the years are now quietly having their minds blown upon discovering she’s only from down the road.
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Olivia Cooke is from Oldham??? Went to OSFC??? Alicent Hightower??? Omg you go girl https://t.co/XEz0SGHAEQ
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester back in 2018 following her lead role in the ITV drama Vanity Fair, Cooke said that if it wasn’t for going to America and being cast by Spielberg, she often wonders if she’d just be stuck playing “one of the maids” ahead of other already known British female actors.
She started out her career appearing on British TV dramas like Blackout and The Secret of Crickley Hall, before landing jobs on Bates Motel, the horror film Ouija and films like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and Thoroughbreds – both of which were hits as the Sundance Film Festival.
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If you’ve been watching HotD, you’ll know she’s been smashing it on there too after only two episodes.
Micah Richards reveals dad ‘unexpectedly’ died shortly before going on air for England v Argentina last night
Emily Sergeant
Micah Richards has revealed that his dad died shortly before he went on air for the World Cup semi final last night.
The former right back – who most-notably played for Manchester City for a decade from 2005-2015, and for the England national team from 2006-2012 – was one of the BBC’s pundits providing on-air analysis last night as England faced Argentina in a highly anticipated semi final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup last night.
The two teams faced off in Atlanta, and while goals came from both sides, it was ultimately Argentina that reigned supreme – securing a 2-1 win over the Three Lions.
But while much of the country is grieving the fact that football won’t be ‘coming home’ (well, for another two years at least), Richards is grieving on a deeper level.
He took to Instagram after the loss last night to share with his 1.4m followers that shortly before he went on air, his father Lincoln passed away ‘unexpectedly’ – calling him the ‘proudest parent possible’ in a touching tribute.
“He has left us all too soon,” Richards began in his tribute.
“Hwas my greatest fan. He barely missed a game my entire life. He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side.
“I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else.
“I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would’ve wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.”
BBC’s popular Stockport-set sitcom Daddy Issues to return for third and FINAL series
Emily Sergeant
BBC’s popular Stockport-set sitcom Daddy Issues is set to return for its third and final series.
Daddy Issues follows Gemma, played by Manchester actress Aimee Lou Wood – most-known for her role on Netflix’s Sex Education – who lives for the weekend when she can ‘get blasted and party hard’ in Stockport, but after joining the mile-high club with a random hook-up on her way back from a holiday to Portugal, she finds out she’s pregnant.
The pregnancy couldn’t have come at a worse time for Gemma, as the only person she has left in her life is her dad Malcolm – played by David Morrissey – who is ‘kind hearted but useless’.
Gemma and her dad end up living together in Gemma’s flat, as she needs support at a critical time in a woman’s life… and he needs help microwaving rice without it exploding.
Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey are set to return for the third series of Daddy Issues / Credit: BBC
The second series followed Gemma coming to terms with motherhood and caring for baby daughter Sadie, and the third – and sadly, final – series sees Gemma 18-months on from where we left her in series two, and life has settled into a familiar rhythm.
Sadie is now in nursery, Gemma’s been promoted at the salon, and Malcolm has just ordered a fancy new washing machine to optimise the laundry. Things might finally be on an even keel… but it doesn’t take long for chaotic ‘old Gemma’ to rear her head.
Star Aimee Lou Wood says she’s ‘so happy to be back’ for series three.
🎬 Daddy Issues is returning for a third and final series!
Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey are back as Gemma and Malcolm
“Gemma and Malcolm are one of the funniest and sweetest comedy double acts on TV, and I’ve loved being a part of it,” Aimee said.
David Morrissey added: “I love doing Daddy Issues so much, such a great cast and crew! So I’m delighted to be coming back to have more adventures with Gemma, Malcolm, and the gang.”
Ahead of the show’s return, Jon Petrie, who is the Director of BBC Comedy, commented: “As Daddy Issues becomes a threenager, it’s been great seeing audiences take Gemma and Malcolm to their hearts. Danielle has created a brilliantly sharp, fearless comedy, and we can’t wait to see the Moscrips take the next, slightly wobbly steps in life with a toddler.”
Danny Jones -
5th October 2022 
