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| Why Ormund Hightower Could Become the Most Dangerous Green in House of the Dragon. (Credits: |
The battle for Westeros is getting even messier, and House of the Dragon Season 3 has wasted little time introducing a figure who could quietly reshape the entire conflict. While much of the attention remains fixed on Rhaenyra Targaryen, Aemond Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, another powerful player has stepped onto the board. Ormund Hightower may not arrive breathing fire or delivering dramatic speeches every five minutes, but his influence could prove just as dangerous. In a war where everyone seems convinced they are the cleverest person in the room, Ormund arrives with something arguably more useful: a massive army and plenty of political leverage.
For viewers wondering exactly who he is, Ormund Hightower is the son of Hobert Hightower, the elder brother of Otto Hightower, making him Alicent’s first cousin. Following his father's death, Ormund becomes the head of House Hightower, one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Westeros.
That promotion comes with considerable responsibility, including command of the powerful Hightower forces marching north to support King Aegon II Targaryen and the Green faction.
His arrival significantly raises the stakes. While Alicent has begun questioning the cost of the war and appears increasingly willing to distance herself from some of her family's choices, the wider Hightower clan has not suddenly become supporters of Rhaenyra.
Quite the opposite. Ormund remains firmly aligned with Aegon’s cause, turning him into a major obstacle standing between the Blacks and any hope of a swift victory.
What makes Ormund especially important is his connection to Daeron Targaryen, Alicent’s youngest son. Unlike his brothers, Daeron has largely remained away from the chaos consuming King’s Landing.
Under Ormund’s guidance, the young prince serves as his squire while also riding the dragon Tessarion. That combination of military strength and dragon power could become a decisive factor as the war expands beyond palace corridors and into full-scale battlefield confrontations.
Interestingly, readers of George R.R. Martin's source material will know that Ormund is not among the most prominent figures in the original narrative. Much of his story unfolds on the edges of larger events, often through battles and military campaigns.
However, the television adaptation appears determined to expand his role considerably. It is a familiar strategy for the series, which has repeatedly taken secondary figures and pushed them closer to the spotlight.
Given the scale of the conflict ahead, Ormund seems set to become one of Season 3's most important additions. The timing of his introduction is particularly notable. With Aegon no longer in control of King's Landing and Aemond effectively steering the Green war effort, every ally matters.
Ormund's army remains camped along the Roseroad, still some distance from the capital despite departing Oldtown earlier. That delay has created tension, uncertainty and plenty of opportunities for political manoeuvring. In Westeros, armies rarely move as quickly as rumours, and both tend to create problems.
Meanwhile, Alicent’s reported efforts to keep Ormund from advancing immediately add another fascinating wrinkle. Her desire to reduce bloodshed places her increasingly at odds with the ambitions of those around her.
Unfortunately, asking powerful noble families to pause their plans in Westeros usually works about as well as asking a dragon not to burn things. History suggests neither is especially interested in compromise.
Adding even more intrigue is the casting of James Norton as Ormund Hightower. The acclaimed British actor arrives with a reputation for delivering complex and memorable performances.
Many viewers will instantly recognise him from the acclaimed BBC drama Happy Valley, where he played the chilling and deeply unsettling Tommy Lee Royce, a role that earned widespread praise and helped establish him as one of Britain's most respected actors.
Norton has steadily built an impressive career across television, film and theatre. Recent audiences have seen him in projects including House of Guinness and King & Conqueror, while film fans may remember his performances in Little Women, Joy and Rogue Agent.
His ability to balance charm, menace and vulnerability often makes him one of the most compelling figures on screen, which should suit a character like Ormund perfectly. After all, no one survives long in Westeros by being boring.
His journey into acting was not entirely straightforward. Norton studied theology at Cambridge University before pursuing his passion for performance more seriously.
After becoming involved in student productions and theatre groups, he eventually enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In a move that sounds suspiciously like the sort of gamble aspiring actors dream about, he left before graduating after securing a major professional role. Fortunately for him, it worked out rather well.
Beyond acting, Norton has also established himself as a producer and remains involved in charitable work, particularly supporting diabetes awareness, having lived with Type 1 diabetes himself.
That combination of creative ambition and personal advocacy has helped him maintain a profile that extends well beyond television screens. As expected, fan reaction to Ormund Hightower's debut has been mixed, fascinated and occasionally hilarious.
Some viewers are already predicting he will become one of the standout characters of the season, praising the decision to give the Hightowers a stronger presence in the story. Others are simply delighted that James Norton has entered the franchise, joking that Westeros now has yet another dangerously charismatic nobleman making questionable decisions.
Meanwhile, book readers are watching closely to see how far the series will expand Ormund's storyline compared with the source material. What seems clear is that Ormund Hightower is far more than a background commander passing through for a few episodes.
With a powerful army, strong family ties, political importance and one of Britain's most recognisable actors behind him, he looks set to become a key figure as the war between the Greens and the Blacks grows even bloodier.
The only real question is whether Ormund can change the course of history or whether Westeros will treat him the same way it treats almost everyone who thinks they are in control.
What do you think about Ormund's arrival and James Norton's casting? Is he destined to become a fan favourite, or just another noble heading towards a very Westerosi disaster? The debate is already heating up.