According to Variety, House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 3 features the very first assassination attempt on Daeron Targaryen, played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, while he shares a meal in Tumbleton with Ormund Hightower (James Norton) and Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox). Baratheon attackers targeted the young prince on the suspected orders of his half-sister, Queen Rhaynera Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), before Gwayne intervened to rescue his nephew.
Daeron Targaryen Faces Shock and Escalation in Tumbleton
The sudden violence in Tumbleton marks a severe escalation that the youngest child of Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) never anticipated. According to Benjamin Evan Ainsworth in an interview with Variety, the shock of the event forces a sharp shift in power dynamics within the Greens’ splintered factions.
“This is an escalation he wouldn’t have ever expected,” Ainsworth tells Variety, detailing how the attack disrupts the status quo among Daeron, Ormund, and Ser Jon Roxton (Joplin Sibtain). As Ormund struggles to manage the chaos—compounded by a physical illness brought on by the smell of the aftermath—Daeron steps up to hold back Jon Roxton and takes a more active role in commanding the situation.
Gwayne Hightower Provides a Brotherly Anchor
Gwayne Hightower’s arrival in Tumbleton following the death of Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) offers Daeron a vital emotional outlet. Unlike his complex, tense relationship with Ormund, who keeps Daeron’s dragon Tessarion locked away, Daeron views Gwayne as a brotherly figure.
According to Ainsworth, Daeron feels a deep sense of safety and transparency with Gwayne that is entirely absent around Ormund. “He’s a figure in his life who is more of a brotherly uncle, someone he can speak with, can connect with, and doesn’t have to cover himself up or conceal anything in any way with,” Ainsworth explains to Variety. This connection helps ground the young prince as he is thrust into the center of the ongoing war between the Blacks and the Greens.
Exploring the Source Material: Fire & Blood and Daeron the Daring
George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood establishes the character as “Daeron the Daring,” a reputation that the television adaptation begins to explore as the narrative approaches a massive confrontation in Tumbleton. Ainsworth notes that he read the source material from Aegon’s conquest up to the events of Season 3 to understand Daeron’s upbringing under the Faith of the Seven in Old Town.
Despite keeping his dragon Tessarion sequestered—unlike his siblings’ free-flying beasts—Daeron maintains a profound bond with the creature. Ainsworth shares that this bond prevents the prince from becoming a mere pawn for Ormund, serving as a constant reminder of his Targaryen heritage amidst anti-Targaryen rhetoric.
Did You Know? Fans have circulated theories suggesting Ormund might have dyed Daeron’s hair to hide his Targaryen features due to a deep-seated hatred of the bloodline. While Ainsworth acknowledges the amusement surrounding these theories on set, he emphasizes that the visual link between Daeron and his mother, Alicent Hightower, remains an important emotional connection for the character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who tried to assassinate Daeron Targaryen in House of the Dragon Season 3?
A group of Baratheons attacked Daeron in Tumbleton during Episode 3, in an assault seemingly ordered by Queen Rhaynera Targaryen.
Who saved Daeron from the assassination attempt?
Gwayne Hightower jumped to his nephew’s rescue in time, neutralizing the immediate threat alongside other loyal guards.
What is the relationship between Daeron and his dragon, Tessarion?
Although Ormund keeps Tessarion locked away in Old Town, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth notes that Daeron shares a deep, loving relationship with the dragon, viewing her as a constant friend and a vital connection to his Targaryen roots.
What do you think of Daeron’s evolving role in the war between the Blacks and the Greens? Join the discussion in the comments below and subscribe to our newsletter for more weekly breakdowns!
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