House of the Dragon Season 3 casts James Norton in a new role

James Norton has been signed for the role of Ormund Hightower in HBO's House of the Dragon in its forthcoming third season. Exclusively reported by Variety, Ormund is revealed to be a very important character within the plot. He is described as Otto Hightower's nephew and Alicent and Gwayne Hightower's cousin.

Having just now begun a military campaign to help his family against Rhaenyra Targaryen, Ormund is mentioned in season 2 and has yet to appear in the show. James Norton comes from a significant background in British television series: Happy Valley and Grantchester are just some of his major roles.

His addition to the cast of House of the Dragon promises this character will provide depth to the unfolding Targaryen saga.

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Who is Ormund Hightower in House of the Dragon?

Ormund Hightower is the main character in House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin's book Fire & Blood. The nephew of Otto Hightower, Ormund is very entangled in the game of House Hightower.

The character is now in a position commanding a military force marching toward King's Landing, where he intends to strengthen his house's position against Rhaenyra Targaryen, a central figure in the ongoing civil war known as The Dance of Dragons.

The character's entry in season 3 will clearly signal a steep rise in the plot of the series, and alliances and hostilities will get more pronounced. Ormund's motives and doings will affect the power games of Westeros for a long time. The character was only spoken about previously, but now he will appear visually, making fans look forward to his arrival.

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Who is James Norton?

James Norton brings a wealth of experience to the role of Ormund Hightower. He is renowned for his performance in critically acclaimed series like Happy Valley. He received his BAFTA nomination for his character Tommy Lee Royce.

He has acted in a wide range of movies, from dramatic to historical adaptations; his movies have been War & Peace and McMafia. As part of his earlier work with HBO on The Nevers, Norton demonstrated the capability of complex characters within high-stakes narratives.

His casting is consistent with HBO's approach to assembling a talented ensemble for House of the Dragon. With a growing reputation in film and television, Norton's involvement is likely to increase the dramatic intensity and character development in the show.

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Future of House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon has already been renewed for a fourth season, which will be its final installment. This renewal reflects HBO's confidence in the series' popularity and storytelling potential. The show explores the Targaryen civil war that occurred approximately 200 years before Game of Thrones, providing rich historical context and character arcs.

Production for season 3 will start soon, and it's sure to add to the suspense that has everyone excited about seeing how Ormund Hightower will be included in this complicated drama of power plays and family loyalty. The series remains grounded in George R.R. Martin's extensive lore, ensuring viewers are interested in the complicated characters and shifting storylines.

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As one of the important people connected to House Hightower, his presence will definitely help bring more drama to the unfolding of Rhaenyra Targaryen's struggle for power. With his past acting credentials, fans are set to look forward to a well-crafted story that further brings depth to the already intricate narrative tapestry.