*Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1.*
As House of the Dragon season 3 finally arrives, it’s brought with it a crucial new character in the form of James Norton’s Lord Ormund Hightower.
The dramatic first episode of season 3 gives us a brief introduction to the powerful Lord Ormund and sees him receiving a shady letter from his cousin Alicent (Olivia Cooke). But there’s a lot more to come from the calculating character in the rest of season 3.
So, as he enters the fray, who exactly is Lord Ormund Hightower?
Who is Lord Ormund Hightower in House of the Dragon season 3?
Lord Ormund Hightower is the head of House Hightower during the Dance of Dragons. He is Otto’s (Rhys Ifans) nephew and Alicent’s (Olivia Cooke) first cousin.
Of course, he’s a supporter of King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn Carney) and, in George RR Martin’s book Fire and Blood, leads the Reach forces for the Greens during the Dance of Dragons.
In the first episode of season 3, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), to his mother’s despair, plans to defend King’s Landing in the absence of his brother Aegon, who has fled King’s Landing.
Aemond declares that aid is coming in the form of Lord Ormund leading 15,000 Hightower men up the Mander to ambush the blockade led by Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint).
In an attempt to thwart her son’s plan, Alicent forges a letter from Aemond to Ormund, ordering him and his men to make camp and informing them that Aemond will join him and his men in the Riverlands in three days’ time.
Finally, we actually get to see Ormund, who receives the message and seems to follow its orders – although he’s clearly offended by the smell of the messenger sent to him.
He also seemingly has no strength of feeling towards Aegon and Aemond. When it’s suggested that Aegon is dead, Ormund simply says: “One king is as good as another.”
Showrunner Ryan Condal has also given some insight into Lord Ormund’s character, saying: “He’s the Lord of the Hightower, basically the Tywin Lannister of this world.”
He added to SFX: “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.”
Meanwhile, Norton said in a behind-the-scenes featurette that Lord Ormund is “convinced that he will win against Rhaenyra”.
Who is Lord Ormund Hightower actor James Norton?
James Norton is known for a range of roles across British TV, most prominently Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley and Sidney Chambers in Grantchester.
Prior to these roles, Norton appeared in the film An Education alongside Carey Mulligan, as well as in thre 2012 film Cheerful Weather for the Wedding, and the 2013 movie Rush.
On TV, he’s also appeared in the Doctor Who episode Cold War, the Black Mirror episode Nosedive, and Netflix’s House of Guinness.
Norton also portrayed John Brooke in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, and will play band manager Brian Epstein in Sam Mendes’s Beatles movies.
What happens to Lord Ormund Hightower in Fire and Blood?
Warning: Major spoilers for George RR Martin’s book Fire and Blood – and potential spoilers for future episodes of House of the Dragon – ahead.
In Fire and Blood, Lord Ormund leads a huge army for King Aegon II Targaryen – although not all of the Lords support him in the Reach. Among those standing against him are Ser Alan Beesbury and Lord Alan Tarly, as well as Lord Owen Costayne.
During the Battle of the Honeywine, Ormund finds himself and his army in trouble – before Prince Daeron Targaryen (Aegon’s brother) turns the tide for the Greens.
Lord Ormund Hightower and his cousin Ser Bryndon Hightower are both later killed by Ser Roderick Dustin (Roddy the Ruin) amid the First Battle of Tumbleton.
House of the Dragon season 3 will arrive on HBO Max on 22 June in the UK. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on HBO Max, Sky and NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV.
Add House of the Dragon to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
