Phia Saban

Phia Saban is an English actress, born Sophia Alison M. Boreham Saban on 19 September 1998 in Hackney, London. She trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, graduating in 2020, and within two years had landed roles in two major fantasy series. Her breakthrough came as Helaena Targaryen in HBO's House of the Dragon, where her portrayal of the gentle, prophetic queen earned critical praise and a devoted fan following. Before that, she appeared as Aelfwynn in the final season of Netflix's The Last Kingdom. With only a handful of credits, Saban has already demonstrated a quiet intensity and emotional range that sets her apart in the fantasy genre. As of 2026, she is filming the third season of House of the Dragon, with her career poised for continued growth.[edit]

Saban grew up in London and developed an early passion for acting. She enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, one of Britain's most prestigious drama schools, where she trained in classical and contemporary performance. Her time at Guildhall included several student productions that helped her build a professional network. She graduated in 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began, which delayed her entry into the industry. Her first screen role came shortly after when she was cast as Aelfwynn in the fifth and final series of Netflix's The Last Kingdom (2022). Playing the daughter of Lady Aelswith, she gained experience in a large-scale period production, marking her professional television debut.[edit]

Saban's casting as Helaena Targaryen in HBO's House of the Dragon in 2022 was her breakthrough. She was relatively unknown, but her portrayal of the gentle, prophetic sister-wife of King Aegon II quickly made her a fan favorite. She debuted in Season 1, Episode 6, and her role expanded in later episodes. In Season 2, which aired from June to August 2024, she delivered emotionally intense scenes involving her children, earning widespread critical praise for her quiet depth. The series was renewed for a third season, with production underway as of 2026. Saban's only other credit is her debut in The Last Kingdom, making her career trajectory notably rapid.[edit]

Saban is known for a natural, understated elegance, often seen in minimalist, modern fashion at red carpet events. Media outlets describe her as a rising star and a quietly impressive actress who brings depth to fantasy roles. She maintains a professional, reserved presence on social media, particularly on Instagram, where she shares mostly professional content and expresses gratitude to fans. Her social media voice is polite and appreciative but maintains clear boundaries around privacy. Fans of House of the Dragon have embraced her character Helaena, though no official fandom name has been established.[edit]

Phia Saban commands a dedicated following that operates primarily under the umbrella of the House of the Dragon fandom rather than as an independent, highly organized force. Her supporters identify strongly with her character Helaena Targaryen, often referring to themselves as part of the broader Targaryen community or specifically as Helaena fans. Unofficial accounts such as @phiasabansource serve as central hubs for news and updates, acting as the de facto organization for her specific supporters without a formal standalone name like The Phians. While her personal Instagram account has approximately 325,000 followers who engage with behind-the-scenes content, there are no documented large-scale fan-led campaigns, charity drives, or unique rituals specific solely to Saban that have permeated wider culture beyond the general lore of the show. iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings. Consequently, Phia Saban is not listed among the Global Top 1,000 most famous people nor does she appear on any Top-100 scope list. Her cultural impact remains firmly rooted in the narrative climax of the series, where the death of Helaena Targaryen sparked immediate viral discussion and analysis among viewers. This tragic arc, described by the actress as a moment of freedom for the character, has generated significant commentary regarding the parallels between the role and historical figures like Joan of Arc. The legacy of her performance is defined by these fictional events and the verified sentiment of camaraderie with co-star Olivia Cooke, which fans frequently cite as a highlight of the production.[edit]

Her full birth name is Sophia Alison M. Boreham Saban, though she shortened it to Phia for professional purposes. She graduated from Guildhall in 2020, the same year the pandemic began, which delayed the start of her career. The Last Kingdom served as her first ever screen acting role, and she was cast in House of the Dragon with no prior major screen credits beyond that single series. Her character Helaena Targaryen is known for prophetic dreams and speaking in riddles, requiring subtle emotional acting. A widely retold story among fans concerns the Season 3 finale, where Helaena falls from a window; this event was foreshadowed as the series' saddest moment and explicitly addressed by the showrunner and Saban as a parallel to Tommen's fate. Saban has discussed how the character channeled Joan of Arc in her decline and ultimate sacrifice, a narrative thread confirmed in multiple interviews during the August 2026 press cycle. Among the cast and fans, there is strong lore regarding the close bond between Saban and Olivia Cooke, with Saban publicly stating she would miss their time together on set. She has never confirmed any romantic relationships in public and maintains that Instagram is her only known social platform, remaining inactive on Twitter/X.[edit]

Saban has kept her family life private. She has not publicly disclosed the names or occupations of her parents, nor whether she has any siblings. She has not shared details about her household, pets, or family background in interviews. Her focus remains on her career, and she maintains clear boundaries around her personal life.[edit]

Phia Saban works closely with the cast of House of the Dragon, including Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon II Targaryen, her on-screen husband), Ewan Mitchell (Aemond Targaryen), Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower), and Emma D'Arcy (Rhaenyra Targaryen). In The Last Kingdom, she appeared alongside Eliza Butterworth, who played her on-screen mother, Lady Aelswith.[edit]

Phia Saban has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. She maintains a very private personal life and has not been linked to any partners through verified reports, social media, or interviews. As of 2026, she is reportedly single.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Phia Saban's net worth is estimated at $2 Million as of 2026, derived primarily from her acting roles. For House of the Dragon, supporting cast members in HBO prestige series typically earn between £20,000 and £40,000 per episode. Her role in The Last Kingdom likely carried a lower per-episode fee. She has no known endorsement deals, business ventures, or real estate holdings reported publicly. Her net worth has grown steadily since her debut in 2022, with the biggest jump coming after her casting in House of the Dragon.[edit]