You’ve probably seen Emily Carey’s face a dozen times without even realizing it. They are the ultimate "wait, I know them!" actor. For years, Carey was the industry’s go-to for playing the "younger version" of basically every major female lead in Hollywood. They were the kid version of Gal Gadot’s Diana in Wonder Woman. They were the 14-year-old Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. Honestly, it’s a bit of a niche, but they leaned into it hard.
Then came the dragons.
When House of the Dragon premiered, Carey finally stepped out of the shadows of "Younger [Insert Name Here]" and into a role that actually let them breathe—even if that breathing was mostly tense, shallow gasps while navigating the terrifying politics of Westeros. Playing the young Alicent Hightower wasn't just another gig; it was the moment Carey proved they could hold a screen as well as any veteran. If you've been tracking emily carey movies and shows, you know the trajectory has been nothing short of a rocket launch since then.
From Casualty to the Red Keep: The Early Grind
Long before the silver hair and dragon fire, Carey was a staple of British TV. If you’re a fan of BBC medical dramas, you’ll remember them as Grace Beauchamp in Casualty. They did over 40 episodes of that show, which is basically the ultimate training ground for any UK actor. It's where they learned the "blood, guts, and gore" side of the business, as they once put it.
Most people don't realize Carey started on the West End stage at age nine. They were a baby ogre in Shrek the Musical. Imagine that—covered in green prosthetics before you've even finished primary school. That theatrical background is probably why their performance in House of the Dragon felt so weighted and intentional.
Breaking the "Young Version" Curse
It’s a bit of a weird trap to be in. You’re talented enough to be cast in $100 million blockbusters, but you only get ten minutes of screen time before the "adult" actor takes over. Carey played:
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- Young Diana (12) in Wonder Woman (2017)
- Young Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (2018)
- Teen Wendy Darling in The Lost Girls (2022)
It could’ve easily been a career dead-end. But Carey has this specific intensity—a way of looking at the camera that makes you feel like they know a secret you don’t. When they were cast as Alicent Hightower, the expectation was that they’d just be a placeholder for Olivia Cooke. Instead, they became the emotional heart of those first five episodes. The friendship between Carey’s Alicent and Milly Alcock’s Rhaenyra was so palpable that fans are still grieving it seasons later.
Why Geek Girl Changed Everything
If House of the Dragon made them a "serious" actor, Geek Girl made them a lead. Netflix took a chance on adapting Holly Smale’s book series, and honestly, Carey as Harriet Manners is some of the best casting in recent years.
Harriet is awkward. She’s neurodivergent. She’s "too much" for her classmates but ends up being exactly right for the high-fashion world. Carey, who is autistic themselves, brought a level of lived-in authenticity to the role that you just can't fake. It wasn't just a "teen show." It felt like a manifesto for anyone who ever felt like they didn't fit the mold. The show hit #1 on Netflix globally for a reason. People didn't just watch it; they felt it.
The Voice Behind the Characters
We have to talk about the voice work, too. It’s a side of emily carey movies and shows that often gets overlooked. In 2021, they voiced Anne Frank in the animated feature Where Is Anne Frank. It’s a heavy, beautiful film that reimagines the diary's legacy.
Then you’ve got the more recent stuff like The Canterville Ghost (2023), where they voiced Virginia Otis. Voice acting is a different beast entirely—you can’t rely on your face to convey the emotion—but Carey’s stage training clearly pays off here. They have a clarity and a resonance that works just as well in a recording booth as it does on a massive HBO set.
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What’s Next: 2025 and 2026 Projects
So, what’s on the horizon? If you think they’re slowing down, you haven't been paying attention.
- Geek Girl Season 2: Netflix officially renewed it in 2025. Carey is coming back as Harriet Manners, and the hype is real. Expect more awkward runway walks and genuine heart.
- The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep: This is a big one. Carey is voicing Sh’eenaz in this animated Witcher spin-off. It’s further proof that they are becoming a powerhouse in the voice-acting world.
- Misper: They’re set to play Elle Pritchard in this project. It’s a bit of a departure from the high-fantasy world, and fans are eager to see them in a more grounded, contemporary role.
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles: For the gamers out there, Carey is lending their voice to Alma Beoulve. It’s a legendary franchise, and having a talent like Carey involved is a massive win for the project.
The Nuance of the Craft
What makes Carey interesting isn't just the roles; it's how they handle them. They’ve been very open about their identity as a queer, non-binary person (using they/them pronouns). In an industry that often tries to box people into very specific categories—especially "teen stars"—Carey has remained stubbornly, refreshingly themselves.
They don't just "play" Harriet Manners or Alicent Hightower. They find the edges of those characters. They find the parts that are uncomfortable or scared or defiant. That’s why their filmography is so varied. You can jump from a historical drama like Houdini & Doyle to a high-octane thriller like Get Even and see a completely different version of Carey in each one.
Practical Insights for the Casual Viewer
If you're just getting into Emily Carey's work, don't just stick to the dragons. While House of the Dragon is the "prestige" choice, Get Even is a hidden gem on Netflix that shows off their ability to play in an ensemble cast. It’s basically Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club, and Carey’s Mika is a standout.
Also, keep an eye on their indie work. Films like Breaking Point (2023) show a different side of their range—less CGI, more raw character work. It’s easy to get lost in the big-budget stuff, but the smaller projects are where Carey’s technical skill really shines through.
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The transition from child star to adult lead is notoriously difficult. Most actors stumble. Some disappear entirely. But Emily Carey seems to have navigated it by simply being too good to ignore. They aren't the "young version" anymore. They are the main event.
Your Emily Carey Watchlist Checklist
- For the Drama: House of the Dragon (Season 1, Episodes 1-5)
- For the Laughs/Heart: Geek Girl (Netflix)
- For the Mystery: Get Even (BBC/Netflix)
- For the History: Where Is Anne Frank (Voice role)
- For the Nostalgia: Wonder Woman (The opening sequence)
Start with Geek Girl if you want to see them at their most relatable, then pivot to House of the Dragon to see the sheer range of their dramatic capabilities. By the time you're done, it'll be clear why 2026 is shaping up to be the year of Emily Carey.
Actionable Next Steps
To stay updated on Emily Carey's evolving career, follow their official social media channels, particularly Instagram, where they often share behind-the-scenes glimpses of upcoming projects like Geek Girl Season 2. For those interested in their voice work, check out the The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep trailer to hear their latest performance. If you're a collector or a hardcore fan, look for their credits in the Final Fantasy Tactics remake to see how they've transitioned into major gaming roles.