Bethany Antonia: The Remarkable Rise of the House of the Dragon Star
From Birmingham Theatre Training to Hollywood Fantasy, West End Musicals, and Strictly Come Dancing
Bethany Antonia is a British actress and singer who has become a recognizable talent in television, film, and theatre. Best known for portraying Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO’s acclaimed fantasy drama House of the Dragon, she has built a varied career through performances in Get Even, Stay Close, and Nolly. Born on December 25, 1997, in Birmingham, England, Antonia developed her performing skills at a young age before progressing into major television productions.
Her career expanded further in 2026 with a West End musical debut and an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, introducing her to an even wider audience.
This article explores Bethany Antonia’s background, education, acting achievements, breakthrough television roles, personal life, and growing presence in British entertainment.
Quick Bio
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bethany Antonia Clarke |
| Professional Name | Bethany Antonia |
| Date of Birth | December 25, 1997 |
| Age | 28 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Quinton, Birmingham, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Heritage | English and Jamaican |
| Profession | Actress and Singer |
| Education | Birmingham Ormiston Academy |
| Known For | House of the Dragon |
| Famous Role | Lady Baela Targaryen |
| Other TV Shows | Get Even, Stay Close, Nolly |
| Theatre | Hadestown (2026) |
| TV Appearance | Strictly Come Dancing (2026) |
| Years Active | 2012–present |
Growing Up in Birmingham and Discovering Performance
Bethany Antonia was born in Quinton, Birmingham, and grew up in a multicultural household shaped by her English and Jamaican heritage.
As a child, her family moved to France, where she spent several years before returning to Birmingham. These experiences formed part of her early life before she began pursuing professional performance opportunities.
She attended Perryfields High School and later Birmingham Ormiston Academy, an institution specializing in creative and performing arts education.
At BOA, she studied musical theatre, developing experience in acting, singing, and stage performance. She completed her studies in 2016.
Her practical training also included First Act Workshops and British Youth Music Theatre. These opportunities helped her develop the technical skills and confidence needed for professional auditions and performances.
Bethany Antonia’s First Steps Into Professional Acting
Antonia began working in performance as a teenager. One of her earliest screen appearances was in a 2012 short-film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
She made her television debut in 2016 with an appearance in the BBC medical soap opera Doctors.
Although her early television work was relatively limited, it introduced her to professional television production and laid the groundwork for more substantial roles.
In 2017, she appeared in the British film Pin Cushion, portraying Chelsea. The film offered another opportunity to gain screen experience outside traditional television drama.
Rather than becoming associated with a single genre, Antonia gradually developed credits spanning independent films, contemporary drama, and youth-focused television.
How Get Even and Stay Close Advanced Her Career
Playing Margot Rivers in Get Even
One of Antonia’s important early television roles came in the 2020 British teen thriller Get Even.
She played Margot Rivers, a technically skilled student who joins a group of girls investigating wrongdoing at their school.
The series blends friendship, secrets, mystery, and teenage relationships, letting its central cast explore both dramatic and lighter moments.
Margot became one of Antonia’s most recognizable characters before she joined House of the Dragon.
Appearing in Netflix’s Stay Close
In 2021, Antonia appeared in Stay Close, a Netflix crime drama adapted from Harlan Coben’s novel.
She played Kayleigh Shaw in a story involving hidden identities, past relationships, and a complicated criminal investigation.
The production featured established British actors, including Cush Jumbo, James Nesbitt, and Richard Armitage.
Working in an ensemble crime drama gave Antonia another substantial screen credit and demonstrated her ability to move between different storytelling styles.
Bethany Antonia as Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Bethany Antonia gained significant international recognition through her portrayal of Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon, which premiered in 2022.
The fantasy series is a prequel to Game of Thrones and explores the political rivalries and family conflicts surrounding House Targaryen.
Baela is the daughter of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon. She is also the sister of Lady Rhaena Targaryen.
Her position within the Targaryen family places her close to the central conflict over succession to the Iron Throne.
Bringing Baela Targaryen to Life
Antonia portrays Baela as a determined young noblewoman with a strong sense of loyalty and personal responsibility.
The character is connected to several important figures in the series, including Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and Prince Jacaerys Velaryon.
Baela is also a dragonrider whose dragon is named Moondancer.
Her involvement in the political and military struggles of Westeros gives Antonia opportunities to portray courage, uncertainty, grief, and determination.
As the series developed, Baela became increasingly involved in the conflict affecting her family.
The role represents a defining achievement in Antonia’s television career, connecting her with one of HBO’s most internationally recognized fantasy productions.
Exploring Different Characters Beyond Westeros
Although House of the Dragon brought Antonia greater visibility, her professional work extends well beyond fantasy television.
In 2023, she appeared in Nolly, the ITV drama starring Helena Bonham Carter as British television actress Noele Gordon. Antonia portrayed Poppy Ngomo.
She has also appeared in Doctor Who, expanding her experience within British science-fiction television.
Her film credits include There’s Always Hope and the 2024 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, in which she played Marianne Dashwood.
These productions show the range of her screen work, from period adaptations and crime dramas to contemporary stories.
Her willingness to work across formats has helped build a career that doesn’t depend on one successful franchise.
A New Chapter in Theatre and Strictly Come Dancing
Making Her West End Debut in Hadestown
In 2026, Antonia made her West End debut as Eurydice in Hadestown, the award-winning musical inspired by Greek mythology.
The production gave her an opportunity to bring her musical theatre training into a major professional stage performance.
The role combines acting, live singing, and emotional storytelling, making it a significant addition to her career.
Her appearance in the musical also demonstrated that her performing ambitions extend beyond television and film.
Joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2026
Another milestone arrived when Bethany Antonia joined the celebrity lineup of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2026.
She was paired with professional dancer Nancy Xu, forming an all-female dance partnership.
The competition introduced Antonia to ballroom and Latin dance, providing a different challenge from scripted acting and musical theatre.
Her participation also brought her into a popular British entertainment program watched by audiences beyond her existing television fanbase.
Personal Life, Heritage, and Public Identity
Bethany Antonia has spoken publicly about her identity and cultural heritage.
She has English and Jamaican family roots and has discussed her interest in learning more about her Jamaican background.
In 2024, she publicly acknowledged that she is gay while responding to an abusive message directed at her on social media.
She has subsequently spoken about representation and the significance of same-sex dance partnerships on Strictly Come Dancing.
Although Antonia occasionally discusses personal experiences publicly, her professional achievements remain central to her public profile.
Details about her current romantic relationships are not established here without reliable confirmation.
What Makes Bethany Antonia a Notable British Actress?
Antonia’s professional development reflects the value of combining formal performance training with experience across different entertainment industries.
Her early roles introduced her to television audiences, while House of the Dragon brought international exposure.
Her work in Hadestown gave her another platform to showcase her singing and acting, and Strictly Come Dancing added a new dimension to her public career.
From teenage drama and crime thrillers to fantasy television and live theatre, her credits demonstrate considerable range.
At 28, she has already worked in several of Britain’s most recognizable entertainment formats while continuing to develop her professional portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bethany Antonia
1. How old is Bethany Antonia?
Bethany Antonia was born on December 25, 1997. She is 28 years old as of October 2026 and will celebrate her 29th birthday on December 25, 2026.
2. Where was Bethany Antonia born?
She was born in Quinton, Birmingham, England. She also spent part of her childhood living in France before returning to Birmingham, where she continued her education and performance training.
3. Who does Bethany Antonia play in House of the Dragon?
She portrays Lady Baela Targaryen, the daughter of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon. Baela is a dragonrider associated with Moondancer and an important member of the Targaryen family.
4. What other television shows has Bethany Antonia appeared in?
Her television credits include Get Even, Stay Close, Doctors, Nolly, and Doctor Who. She has also participated in the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
5. Who is Bethany Antonia’s Strictly Come Dancing partner?
Bethany Antonia was partnered with professional dancer Nancy Xu for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. Their partnership is among the show’s same-sex celebrity and professional dance pairings.
Conclusion: Bethany Antonia’s Continuing Success
Bethany Antonia has developed from a young Birmingham performer into an actress recognized for her work across international television, British drama, and musical theatre.
Her performance as Baela Targaryen introduced her to a substantial global audience, while earlier projects such as Get Even and Stay Close helped establish her screen career.
With her West End debut in Hadestown and her participation in Strictly Come Dancing, she has continued to explore new creative opportunities.
Bethany Antonia’s growing body of work reflects her versatility as a performer and makes her an increasingly notable figure in contemporary British entertainment.
