Daeron Targaryen’s Torment: HotD Star Unpacks His Character’s Isolation and Hightower Influences
Fans of House of the Dragon are well into the intense political drama and dragon-filled action of Season 2, and one character who’s really come into his own (or, perhaps, been forced into a corner) is young Prince Daeron Targaryen. Stuck in Tumbleton under the watchful, and often terrifying, eye of his guardian Ormund Hightower, Daeron’s journey has been anything but smooth. Now, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, the actor bringing Daeron to life, has shed some light on the complex relationships shaping his character this season.
In the earlier episodes of the current season, we’ve seen Daeron effectively under Ormund Hightower’s thumb. Ainsworth explains that Ormund’s constant presence in Daeron’s scenes speaks volumes about their relationship. “There’s not a lot of space,” he notes, highlighting how Daeron, despite being physically isolated from his family and the politicking of King’s Landing, is also mentally “cramped” by Ormund’s domineering nature. It’s a tough spot for someone sent away from everything familiar, including his mother.
The imagery of Daeron’s dragon, Tessarion, chained up in Tumbleton’s Sept, perfectly mirrors Daeron’s own internal struggles and his suffocating experience with Ormund. It’s a powerful symbol of his lack of freedom and the weight he carries.
Things get even more complicated with the arrival of Daeron’s uncle, Gwayne Hightower, who rides into Tumbleton after leaving Criston Cole. Ainsworth points out the stark contrast between the two Hightower figures. While Ormund is the stern, authoritarian “parental figure,” Gwayne offers a more “brotherly” dynamic. This shift allows a different, more authentic side of Daeron to emerge. “Something more transparent, something more true to who he is as a person,” Ainsworth shares, describing the relief Daeron feels around Gwayne, compared to the constant calculation required when dealing with Ormund’s unpredictable rage.
One of the most chilling moments this season involved Ormund forcing Daeron to execute an innocent man in the Sept. Ainsworth describes this as “manipulation at its worst.” While Daeron is aware of the twisted nature of the act, he feels trapped, seeing “no other option” in that horrifying moment. What’s even more heartbreaking is Daeron’s yearning for Ormund’s approval afterwards. “There’s almost like a pride which Ormund has with him afterwards, which he kind of yearns for as a character,” Ainsworth explains. This desperate search for affection from a manipulative guardian highlights just how fractured and twisted their bond truly is.
For Ainsworth, playing these intricate relationships with co-stars James Norton (Ormund) and Freddie Fox (Gwayne) has been both challenging and rewarding. He found it “gut-wrenching” to watch back the execution scene, but appreciates how actors like James Norton bring something unique to every take, making the scene unfold organically. This pivotal moment, where Daeron is forced to commit a terrible act, also marks a turning point as he begins to grapple with the idea of being styled as king, opening up a whole new set of questions about his identity and future.