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Ewan Mitchell’s amazing transition from The Last Kingdom to House of the Dragon

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Ewan Mitchell's amazing transition from The Last Kingdom to House of the Dragon

As a huge fan of both Ewan Mitchell’s acting abilities and his captivating character transformations, I have been absolutely thrilled to witness his evolution from the shy, unassuming Osferth in “The Last Kingdom” to the calculating and manipulative Aemond Targaryen in “House of the Dragon.”

In the second series of “The Last Kingdom,” Ewan Mitchell entered the show as Osferth, King Alfred’s illegitimate son. Raised in Leofric’s household due to their friendship with Uhtred, Osferth became Uhtred’s responsibility after Leofric’s demise.

Uhtred intended to conceal and safeguard Osferth from those harboring ill intentions towards the king’s bastard son. This group included the queen, Aelwith. Despite having received greater monastic education than military training, Osferth was yet another outcast that Uhtred had taken under his wing and transformed into a faithful companion.

In “House of the Dragon,” Mitchell portrays the grown-up character of Aemond Targaryen. Aemond is the second son of King Viserys I and his second spouse, Alicent Hightower. He’s the younger brother of King Aegon II, who seized power over their half-sister, Rhaenyra, who was the rightful heir.

Stark differences between Osferth on The Last Kingdom and Aemond on House of the Dragon

In “The Last Kingdom,” Mitchell portrayed Osferth as a retiring, spiritually grounded lad. Initially, he was drawn into Uhtred’s tumultuous life filled with recurring conflicts between the Danes and Saxons. Over time, Osferth transformed into a powerful warrior monk and an essential figure in Uhtred’s inner circle. Despite adapting to his new role, he preserved his modesty and humility, traits scarcely present among most of Uhtred’s hardened warriors. The audience grew fond of this endearing character and were dismayed by his untimely demise in season 5.

In “House of the Dragon,” Mitchell continues to portray a younger character, yet this time, he’s the son of a monarch. However, their likenesses largely differ. Aemond bears the marks of a traumatic childhood encounter with his cousins, resulting in the loss of an eye and deep scars on his face. As a grown man, he sports an eyepatch and the scar is evident against his pale Targaryen complexion.

As someone who has spent my entire life in the heart of Westeros, I can attest to the fact that not all Targaryens are created equal when it comes to martial prowess and strategic acumen. Amongst his brother and cousins, Aemond stands out as the most exceptionally trained warrior and killer. His dedication to honing his skills is unparalleled, and his knowledge of military history and tactics rivals even the maesters at the Citadel.

In contrast to Osferth’s gentle and unassuming demeanor, Aemond exhibits quietness that conceals a cunning and manipulative nature. When tragedy strikes, as in the unfortunate incident of his young cousin Luke’s death on a dragon, Aemond is distressed not for the sake of the life lost but due to the potential political repercussions.

More recently, Aemond has acted in manners that would have been impossible for Osferth. In a dragon clash above Rook’s Rest, Aemond attempts to slay his brother, King Aegon. Later, Aemond assumes the role of regent on the Iron Throne, with the king still alive but his longevity uncertain.

When Aegon exhibits weakness and indecision, Aemon steps up with strength and certainty, currently governing Westeros on behalf of his ailing brother, and effectively holding the reins of power.

On “House of the Dragon,” Aemond is the complete opposite and more than Osferth from “The Last Kingdom” ever desired to be. Despite sharing the warrior title, these characters exhibit significant differences. Impressively, Mitchell has excelled in transforming Osferth’s endearing, light-hearted character from “The Last Kingdom” into the sinister antagonist on “House of the Dragon.”

The 27-year-old actor experiences a remarkable development with his portrayal of Aemond. Previously, Osferth was a minor character, but now Aemond takes center stage. The difference between the two roles is striking: if you weren’t aware they were acted by the same person, you’d hardly guess it’s the same individual, given the significant changes in appearance, attire, and character depth.

Mitchell shines in his villainous role and it’s essential that he remains a significant character as “House of the Dragon” progresses into its second season and beyond. Tune in every Sunday night to catch new episodes on HBO and Max.

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2024-07-19 17:41

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