James Norton joins HBO's 'House of the Dragon' S03
01 Feb 2025

The third season of HBO's popular series House of the Dragon has made a major casting decision.

Actor James Norton, known for his work in Happy Valley and Restless, will play Ormund Hightower, Variety reported.

The character was referenced in the second season but never appeared on screen.

The hugely popular Game of Thrones prequel series will run for four seasons.

Norton's character Ormund Hightower: A brief overview
Character details

Norton's character Ormund is "Otto's (Rhys Ifans) nephew, Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Gwayne's (Freddie Fox) cousin, and the Lord of Oldtown."

He currently leads the Hightower host in marching on King's Landing to support his house against Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy).

This role adds to Norton's impressive portfolio which includes a BAFTA nomination for Happy Valley and performances in McMafia, the HBO series The Nevers, and the 2016 miniseries adaptation of War & Peace.

'House of the Dragon' S03: Production and release details
Show timeline

Set around 200 years before Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon draws inspiration from George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books.

The upcoming third season will be based on Martin's Fire and Blood, which takes place nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones.

Production is likely to begin in the coming months.

'HOTD' S03: Expanding the 'Game of Thrones' universe
Franchise future

Despite House of the Dragon ending after two more seasons, the franchise is far from over.

Plans are underway to develop other spinoffs, with one already in production for a release on HBO this year.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a new series based on Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, will further expand the Game of Thrones world.

Another exciting spinoff focusing on Aegon Targaryen's conquest of Westeros is also being considered.