British actress Bethany Antonia is set to swap Westeros for the ballroom floor as she joins the celebrity lineup for the twenty-fourth series of Strictly Come Dancing, which launches on BBC One on September 19, 2026. The twenty-eight-year-old star, best known for portraying Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO's hit fantasy drama House of the Dragon, expressed immense excitement ahead of her dance debut. Speaking ahead of the premiere, Antonia revealed that taking part in the beloved competition holds deeply personal meaning for her and her family.
Antonia shared that her decision to accept the invitation was inspired by her late grandmother, who passed away earlier in the year. Describing their shared love for watching Strictly Come Dancing together over the years, Antonia explained that receiving the offer felt like a meaningful tribute to her grandmother's memory. She expressed enthusiasm for taking on the physical challenge, learning ballroom discipline, and bringing a sense of joy and high energy to the dance floor throughout the autumn season.
Born in Quinton, Birmingham, Antonia spent part of her early childhood in the Charente-Maritime region of France before returning to the United Kingdom to pursue performing arts. She developed her acting skills through the British Youth Music Theatre and the Birmingham Ormiston Academy before making her screen debut in 2016. Her breakout role arrived in 2020 as Margot Rivers in the BBC/Netflix teen mystery series Get Even, followed by prominent appearances in the crime drama Stay Close and the ITV biographical drama Nolly.
Since 2022, Antonia has gained widespread international recognition for her performance as Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon, the high-profile prequel to Game of Thrones. Her role on the show required extensive physical preparation and core conditioning for action sequences and dragon-riding stunts, experience she hopes will translate well into learning intricate dance choreography. Earlier in 2026, she also demonstrated her musical versatility on stage, performing as Eurydice in the West End production of Hadestown at London's Lyric Theatre.
With the new series of Strictly Come Dancing officially underway, fans are eager to see how Antonia's stage presence and athletic discipline fare in the ballroom. Her participation marks an exciting new chapter in her flourishing career, celebrating both family heritage and creative growth.
