House Of The Dragon star Bethany Antonia joins Strictly Come Dancing 2026
By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
House Of The Dragon star Bethany Antonia has said she is “so excited” to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 cast.
The actress and singer, 28, was announced as the latest addition to the star-studded lineup on Tuesday.
She is best known for her starring role as dragon-rider Lady Baela Targaryen in the HBO fantasy prequel series, which is set 200 years before the events of Game Of Thrones.
Antonia said: “I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September!
“I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully) learn a new skill.
“See you on the dancefloor!”
The TV star also announced her latest venture in a video on the Strictly Come Dancing Instagram page and said: “This is weird.
“I am coming on here to say that in September I’m going to be joining the cast of Strictly Come Dancing.”
The star took a moment to giggle excitedly before she continued: “Oh my goodness! I’m so excited.
“I’m absolutely terrified. I cannot wait to meet my partner. I can’t wait to be part of the Strictly extravaganza.”
Antonia also said the show has been “such a big part of my life” and added: “I just can’t quite believe that I’m going to get the chance to hopefully learn how to ballroom and Latin dance.”
Antonia started her acting career at 14 years old, appearing in a short film adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
She went on to feature in shows such as BBC soap opera Doctors, as well as teen thriller series Get Even, sitcom Stath Lets Flats, biopic Nolly and popular sci-fi show Doctor Who.
Antonia shot to global fame in 2022 for her role in House Of The Dragon, which is based on George RR Martin’s series of novels A Song Of Ice And Fire.
She is currently appearing in a West End production of Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown as the fiercely independent Eurydice.
Antonia will join previously announced contestants Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, Jaime Winstone and Dame Sarah Storey.
Strictly recently revealed five new professional dancers are joining the show this year: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.
The upcoming series of the BBC show will also be hosted by three new faces – broadcaster Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe.
They will replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced they were leaving the show late last year.
Further celebrities joining the line-up will be announced throughout the summer ahead of the new series airing on BBC One and iPlayer this September.
