Emily Carey

Emily Carey is an English actor and advocate. They are best known for playing young Alicent Hightower in HBO's House of the Dragon (2022) and the lead role of Harriet Manners in Netflix's Geek Girl (2024). Carey has built a reputation for bringing emotional depth to fantasy epics and coming-of-age stories, with a career spanning over a dozen film and TV credits. They are also known for their advocacy around neurodiversity and non-binary identity, using both she/her and they/them pronouns.[edit]

Emily Joanna Carey was born on April 30, 2003, in the London Borough of Barnet, North London, England. From a very young age, Carey was immersed in the world of theatre, growing up within a family deeply connected to the performing arts. Their earliest years were spent backstage at various West End productions, where they would often assist their grandmother, who worked diligently as a wardrobe supervisor. This unique, hands-on exposure to the vibrant atmosphere behind the scenes ignited a profound love for performance, laying the groundwork for their own acting career as a child performer in West End theatre.

Carey's professional stage debut came at the age of nine, when they took to the iconic stage of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Shrek The Musical. This early success was followed a few years later by another significant theatrical role, playing Marta von Trapp in a London production of The Sound of Music, further cementing their burgeoning talent on the stage.

The year 2014 marked a pivotal transition for Carey as they ventured into screen work. Their first screen appearance was as Mini Idina in the music video for Michael Bublé and Idina Menzel's festive duet, Baby It's Cold Outside. This quickly led to their first major television opportunity in the same year, when they landed a semi-regular role as Grace Beauchamp on the popular BBC medical drama Casualty. Carey's portrayal of Grace Beauchamp spanned five seasons, establishing them as a recognizable young talent on screen. [edit]

Carey's big-screen debut came in 2017 as young Diana Prince in Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman. The following year, they played young Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, cementing a niche for portraying younger versions of iconic heroines. In 2020, they joined the BBC iPlayer teen thriller Get Even. But the role that truly broke them globally was young Alicent Hightower in HBO's House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones prequel that premiered in 2022. Carey's performance as the conflicted young queen earned widespread praise. In 2024, they stepped into the lead role of Harriet Manners in Netflix's Geek Girl, a YA adaptation released on May 30. Beyond acting, Carey has done voice work for Where Is Anne Frank and Monster Family 2, and in 2025 starred in the indie feature Misper, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. [edit]

Carey is often described as having a warm, down-to-earth presence both on and off screen. Their fashion style leans toward casual, earthy tones with occasional bold accessories, and they frequently share behind-the-scenes content with fans on Instagram. The media has highlighted their advocacy for neurodiversity and non-binary visibility, and they are seen as a role model for young queer and autistic fans. Carey's fandom, sometimes called the "Carey Crew," is known for being supportive and engaged online, often rallying around their projects with fan art and edits. [edit]

Emily Carey's fandom is a passionate and engaged community, though it has no formal name. Fans, sometimes informally referred to as the "Carey Crew" in media coverage, are known for their supportive and enthusiastic presence on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where Carey has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers. While there are no documented fan campaigns or organized initiatives, the community thrives on Carey's active social media presence and their willingness to share exclusive behind-the-scenes content, such as the never-before-seen images of Alicent's wedding dress from House of the Dragon.

In terms of global fame, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Emily Carey but currently does not place them in any published ranking, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This means that, as of the latest assessment, they are not ranked among the most famous individuals worldwide, though their career continues to gain momentum.

Fans have also embraced the on-screen dynamic between Carey's young Alicent and Milly Alcock's Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon, interpreting a sapphic subtext that has become popular folklore within the fandom. This interpretation gained further attention when Alcock hinted at such a romance in a 2026 interview, demonstrating the cultural impact of their portrayal.[edit]

Emily Carey's fanbase, sometimes called the "Carey Crew," is known for being supportive and engaged. They have a pet dog named Reggie who frequently appears on their Instagram. Carey is a fan of horror movies and has named The Conjuring as a favorite. In 2022, they were featured on a digital cover of Something About Rocks magazine. Carey learned to sword-fight for their role in House of the Dragon and has said they loved the stunt training. They are also a self-described "massive nerd" who enjoys video games and comic books.

One of the most iconic moments of Carey's career is their portrayal of young Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, a role that has become a touchstone for fans. The fan-driven interpretation of a sapphic romance between Alicent and Rhaenyra, played by Milly Alcock, became so prominent that Alcock addressed it in a 2026 interview, hinting at the subtext. This moment, while not involving Carey directly, highlights the lasting impact of their performance.[edit]

Carey comes from a theatre family; their grandmother was a wardrobe supervisor in the West End, and they spent much of their childhood backstage watching productions. Details about their parents and siblings are not publicly documented. As of 2026, they are in a relationship with English actress Jessica Revell, and they have no children. They live in London with their dog Reggie. [edit]

Carey has worked with notable directors including Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman) and Roar Uthaug (Tomb Raider). They shared the screen with Gal Gadot and Lily James in the young versions of their characters. On House of the Dragon, they acted alongside Milly Alcock, who played young Rhaenyra Targaryen, and the two developed a close friendship. Carey has also collaborated with fellow young actors like Samuel Blenkin in Misper. [edit]

Carey's dating history is relatively private. They were previously in a relationship with musician Kellimarie Willis, though specific dates are not publicly known. As of 2026, Carey is dating English actress Jessica Revell. The couple shares glimpses of their life together on Instagram, and they have been together for several years. Carey has not been married and has no children. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Emily Carey's net worth at $2 million. The majority of their income comes from acting roles in major film and television productions. Their work on House of the Dragon and Geek Girl likely commanded significant salaries, especially as a lead on a Netflix series. Additional earnings come from voice acting in animated features like Where Is Anne Frank and Monster Family 2, as well as modeling and brand partnerships on social media. Carey also receives fees for public appearances and speaking engagements, as they are represented by a speakers bureau. They have not publicly disclosed any real estate or investment holdings, and their financial portfolio remains private.[edit]