Sky’s blockbuster fantasy series House of the Dragon is back after what feels like a very long wait. The battle for the Iron Throne continues as the conflict between the Targaryens and the Hightowers intensifies, with Yorkshire’s own James Norton joining the cast for series three as Lord Ormund Hightower.
It’s a busy time for the Happy Valley star, who is also set to appear in House of Guinness, the new drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Norton’s character makes his debut in the first episode and is expected to play a major role as the war for succession escalates.
But who is James Norton’s character, Lord Ormund Hightower?
Lord Ormund Hightower is, a supporter of King Aegon II Targaryen, and the son of Hobert Hightower, who was portrayed by Steffan Rhodri in the first season of House of the Dragon. Hobert was the elder brother of Otto Hightower, making Ormund the first cousin of Queen Alicent Hightower.
Following Hobert’s death, Ormund became Lord of Oldtown and head of House Hightower, one of the most powerful and wealthy families in Westeros. As the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons intensifies, Ormund leads the Hightower forces in support of King Aegon II and the Greens.
Speaking to GamesRadar, showrunner Ryan Condal said of the character: “He’s the richest guy who’s not sitting on a throne somewhere. Ormund has the largest standing army left in Westeros and a dragon, so he is going to introduce a big old wrinkle into this.
“Ormund is really a sketch in the book and we don’t have a sense of who he is, so it was really fun diving in and creating a really deep, complex and three-dimensional character out of him that introduces a new kind of complication into the world.”
What can fans expect from House of the Dragon series three?
On the opposing side to Norton’s character are the Blacks, who support the claim of Rhaenyra Targaryen to the Iron Throne. Backed by her council, her formidable husband and uncle Daemon Targaryen, and a growing number of dragons, the Blacks are preparing for all-out war.
Opposing them are the Greens, led by House Hightower, Queen Alicent, King Aegon II, Prince Aemond, and their allies, who are determined to keep their hold on the throne.
As the penultimate chapter of the House of the Dragon story, series three is expected to bring some of the biggest battles from the Dance of the Dragons to the screen. With dragons now taking centre stage and both sides fully committed to war, fans can expect a darker, more explosive season than ever before.
And while it’s great to see another Yorkshire actor joining the world of Westeros, history suggests it doesn’t always end well for Yorkshiremen in George R.R. Martin’s universe. Just ask Sean Bean.
Read More: Happy Valley’s James Norton, Film ‘Nowhere Special’ Is On iPlayer Now
Feature Image Credit: HBO/Warner Bros
