HEARTBROKEN: Bethany Antonia reveals the emotional reason why she agreed to take part in Strictly Come Dancing.
House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia has revealed the deeply personal reason she decided to join Strictly Come Dancing 2026.
The actress and singer is preparing to swap the world of Westeros for the BBC ballroom as she joins this year’s celebrity line-up.
Bethany, who is best known for playing dragon rider Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel, admitted she still cannot quite believe she will be competing on the programme she grew up watching.
“I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom!” she said.
“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!”
But behind her excitement is a far more emotional reason for saying yes.
Bethany Reveals Poignant Reason for Joining Strictly
Bethany explained that her grandmother died earlier this year and that the pair had shared a love of Strictly Come Dancing.
Because of that connection, receiving the offer to appear on the show felt particularly meaningful.
“To be completely honest, my Nan passed away at the start of the year, and we loved it so much together,” Bethany told the BBC.
She added: “The timing of the offer felt like a gift from her, and so I had no choice, I was like, ‘it’s a yes!’. I am doing it for her.”
Her comments reveal that taking part will mean much more than simply learning Latin and ballroom routines.
For Bethany, the experience will also be a tribute to someone with whom she shared years of watching the programme.
Where Viewers Have Seen Bethany Before
Bethany has already built an impressive acting career despite now entering an entirely different television world.
She is best known for playing Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon, joining the fantasy drama during its first series in 2022.
Her character is part of the Targaryen dynasty at the heart of the HBO series, and Bethany is expected to return for its fourth series, which is scheduled to begin filming in early 2027.
Away from Westeros, she has appeared in a number of British television dramas.
Her credits include the BBC and Netflix teen thriller Get Even, Harlan Coben adaptation Stay Close and ITV drama Nolly, which told the story of Crossroads star Noele Gordon.
Bethany has also appeared on stage, making her West End debut as Eurydice in Hadestown at the National Theatre.
Bethany’s Childhood Between Britain and France
The actress was born in Quinton, Birmingham, before moving with her family to France when she was six.
They settled in a small coastal town in the Charente-Maritime region, where Bethany spent five years before returning to Britain.
She has previously spoken warmly about that period of her childhood, although she admitted it came with challenges.
“It was such a beautiful way to grow up,” she said.
“We lived in France for five years and I feel very lucky to have experienced it so early on in my lifetime.”
Bethany said the language barrier was difficult at first and also recalled being the first brown girl some children in her class had ever met.
Despite those challenges, she described the experience as something she remembers with great affection.
After returning to the UK, Bethany began attending acting workshops and later secured a part in a short-film adaptation of The Tempest for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Actress Has Spoken Openly About Her Identity
Bethany publicly came out as gay in April 2024 ahead of the second series of House of the Dragon.
The moment came after she shared a screenshot of a hateful and racist Instagram direct message she had received.
Responding to the message, Bethany wrote: “Wait till they find out I’m gay too.”
The post drew attention at the time, with the actress choosing to respond directly to the abuse.
Strictly Challenge Begins
Bethany now faces an entirely different kind of challenge as she joins the Strictly Come Dancing class of 2026.
After years spent acting on television and stage, she will have to master a new set of skills under the pressure of the BBC ballroom.
The identity of her professional dance partner was not revealed in the supplied report, leaving viewers waiting to discover who will guide her through the competition.
For Bethany, however, simply taking her place on the dancefloor already carries enormous personal significance.
Her grandmother may not be there to watch her compete, but Bethany has made clear exactly who she will be dancing for when her Strictly journey begins.
