James Norton on Ormund Hightower’s Role in House of the Dragon Season 3

James Norton has joined the cast of House of the Dragon Season 3 as Ormund Hightower, a character described by the actor as a “toxic” and “contradictory” force within the Hightower ranks. As the series reaches its midpoint, Ormund’s strategic deceptions—including the manipulation of his nephew, Daeron Targaryen, and the tactical seizure of Tumbleton—have positioned him as a central antagonist in the ongoing conflict for the Iron Throne. According to an interview with Collider, Norton approached the role by embracing the character’s erratic, high-stress nature and his deep-seated hostility toward the Targaryen dynasty.

The Performance Strategy Behind Ormund Hightower

Norton’s portrayal of Ormund relies on a balance between controlled menace and moments of unrestrained, “camp” theatricality. In the fourth episode, “Tumbleton,” the character is introduced in a bath scene that Norton describes as a deliberate use of vulnerability as a tool for intimidation. The actor worked closely with director Claire Kilner to push the boundaries of the performance, opting for large, expressive swings in energy rather than a singular, muted tone.

“I gave them very subtle and nuanced and very big and panto, and generally, they went with the big swings,” Norton told Collider. This approach allowed the production to lean into the character’s “deliciously” complex nature, highlighting a man who is hyper-aware of his surroundings and prone to intense, high-stakes stress.

The Toxic Dynamics of the Hightower-Targaryen Relationship

A central tension in the season involves the relationship between Ormund and Daeron, played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth. Norton characterizes the bond as an abusive, Stockholm syndrome-like connection where Ormund serves as a father figure despite his volatile behavior. A notable scene involving the receipt of a raven from Harrenhal shows Ormund spiraling into a violent rage, swinging a sword at a table until he is physically exhausted.

The scene serves to expose the fragility of Ormund’s control. Norton noted that the physical demands of filming the sequence—alternating between high-adrenaline outbursts and sudden stillness—left him feeling drained and near fainting. For the character of Daeron, the moment functions as a survival mechanism; he recognizes the danger and clears the room to protect others, demonstrating his own stoicism in the face of his mentor’s instability.

Ormund’s Ideological Hatred of Dragons

Beyond his interpersonal conflicts, Ormund is defined by his intense, nearly fascistic opposition to dragons and those who ride them. While other characters view dragons as symbols of power, Ormund views them as “beasts” and an “impure force.” Norton argues that this hatred is foundational to the character’s worldview, framing the Hightower cause as a moral imperative to rid the world of what he deems a “savage” lineage.

“He really sees them as savages, and he thinks the world should be rid of them,” Norton explained. This binary perspective, which views the Targaryen bloodline as “tainted,” provides the ideological motivation for Ormund’s actions throughout the season. His commitment to the Hightower cause is absolute, leading him to utilize questionable tactics, such as the use of human shields in Tumbleton, to secure his objectives.

What Lies Ahead for the Hightower Army

As the series progresses, the conflict between Rhaenyra Targaryen and the Hightower forces is set to escalate. While Ormund has been forced to feign fealty to Rhaenyra under pressure from Daemon Targaryen, the show has established that his loyalties remain firmly with his own cause. With the Hightower army now entrenched in Tumbleton and using the local population as a buffer, the stage is set for a confrontation that promises to be increasingly violent.

New episodes of House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere on Sundays on HBO and Max. As the narrative moves toward the latter half of the season, the consequences of Ormund’s “spicy” strategic choices are expected to have devastating effects on the smallfolk caught in the crossfire of the civil war.