Most actors have that one breakout role, but the real ones usually have some underrated gems tucked in their past work. For Olivia Cooke, she reached household name status after a stirring performance as Alicent Hightower in Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon. That performance ignited TV conversations and drew well-deserved praise from audiences and critics alike. However, what many people don’t know is that before she became the ‘Green Queen’ of Westeros, she had already dropped a 10/10 performance in the 2015 YA drama Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl.
The Indie project, based on a James Andrews‘ novel, featured Cooke dropping a powerhouse performance as Rachel, a teenager struggling with Leukemia. While it demanded a lot from her emotionally, she surpassed all the narrative’s expectations. In fact, it was at this point that she first showcased the range that catapulted her onto the global stage. Here’s an in-depth look at the skill and soulfulness she brought to playing Rachel in Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl.
Olivia Cooke’s breakout in ‘Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl’ was Layered
Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl tells the story of socially awkward high school senior Greg (Thomas Mann) and his unlikely friendship with Cooke’s Rachel after she’s diagnosed with bone cancer. On the surface, this movie had all the trappings of a typical Sundance coming-of-age flick with its witty dialogue, awkward teen lead, quirky supporting cast, and, of course, a sense of impending doom. However, what truly makes this one different is Cooke’s masterful portrayal of Rachel. She refused to reduce the character to the clichéd ‘sick girl’ persona whose primary responsibility was to inspire the male lead. Instead, she highlights Rachel’s humor, wit and stubbornness. It was evident from the very first time she met Greg, cutting through his nervous ramblings with raw honesty. That set the tone right from the start and made the audience sit up and say, ‘Oh, this is gonna be different.’
Throughout the movie, Cooke pulled off a balancing act between resilience and vulnerability. It was no easy feat, but she managed it with quiet movements, subtle expressions, and an earnestness that shone through even the most emotional scenes. Case in point is the scene where she shaved her head, it could easily have been filled with the usual melodrama and sentimentality that audiences have come to expect. Instead, Cooke uses that moment to show the audience a glimpse of raw pain. All in all, she was already pushing boundaries and delivering intensity before stepping into Alicent Hightower’s shoes.
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Playing Rachel Quietly Paved Olivia Cooke’s Path to Stardom
Considering the character work she laid down for her role as Rachel, House of the Dragon‘s Alicent, deserves a closer look. Watching her in Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl was like looking into the future. It was a role that essentially told everyone that she was ‘one to watch’. Both characters may have come from different worlds — Rachel from suburban America and Alicent from medieval fantasy — yet Cooke basically showcased a remarkable level of emotional depth for both. In Season 1, Episode 5, ‘We Light the Way,’ Cooke connected with her inner Rachel to give Alicient an edge. As the narrative has it, Alicient strides into the hall in her green gown, basically a declaration of war for her son’s right to rule. Anyone watching closely could sense the tension in her eyes in that moment, instantly recognizing the same steely determination Cooke displayed as Rachel during her chemotherapy sessions. In both cases, the characters are faced with situations beyond their control, however, Cooke’s performance in each case makes them relatable.
The leap from Indie projects to a show considered one of the biggest TV shows in recent years only serves to confirm the range of Cooke’s prowess as an actress. After appearing in the 2015 movie, she expanded her portfolio with a mix of parts in projects like Thoroughbreds, Ready Player One, and Sound of Metal. With each project, she became a better actor; however, it’s safe to say that her performance as Rachel remains one of her finest.
So, for fans who only know Cooke as Alicent Hightower, you absolutely need to check out her performance in Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl, streaming on Prime Video.
