WARNING! This article contains minor SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6!
A growing House of the Dragon season 3 debate has now been addressed by Daeron Targaryen’s actor.
In season 3, episode 4 of House of the Dragon, it was revealed that Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is playing the genuine Prince Daeron Targaryen. Earlier, Ormund had sent a look-alike with silver hair – an imposter – along with Daemon as part of a deceptive surrender to Rhaenyra. However, Ainsworth’s Daeron now has red hair, like his mother Alicent and the Hightower family, leading fans to wonder if Daeron is naturally redheaded or not. A popular theory suggests that Ormund dyes Daeron’s hair red to conceal his Targaryen heritage.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who plays Daeron in House of the Dragon, admitted he doesn’t know the truth behind the mystery of his character’s hair color. Speaking with ScreenRant, Ainsworth responded to a fan theory that Ormund is dyeing Daeron’s hair red, calling the image of Ormund doing so weekly “ominous and creepy.” He added that, given James Norton’s villainous portrayal of Ormund, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if that were the case.
You know, I’ve been thinking about the rumors surrounding Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Ormund Hightower, and honestly, it doesn’t seem that far-fetched. The idea of Ormund dyeing his hair weekly… it’s a little unsettling, and frankly, just really strange to imagine that level of closeness between them. Ben hasn’t confirmed anything, but he admits it’s a fascinating thought, and I totally agree – it’s definitely intriguing either way!
After Ainsworth playfully avoided revealing Daeron Targaryen’s real hair color, it’s probable that House of the Dragon will definitively address it by the end of season three. This detail is important because his hair color impacts his background, involvement in the Dance of the Dragons civil war, claim to the Iron Throne, and ties to both the Hightower and Targaryen families.
If Daeron was born with naturally silver hair, but Ormund dyed it, it would reveal just how far Ormund is willing to go to suppress Daeron’s Targaryen traits and make him appear more like a Hightower. However, if Daeron had red hair from birth, it would highlight Alicent’s hypocrisy regarding Rhaenyra. Alicent and her allies previously questioned the legitimacy of Rhaenyra’s sons – Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey – by pointing out their black hair instead of the typical Targaryen silver.
Throughout season 3, the complicated relationship between Daeron and his guardian, Ormund, has become clearer. It’s revealed that Ormund has been willing to do almost anything – even resort to harsh methods – to position Daeron as king instead of Rhaenyra or his own brothers. This is all part of Ormund’s plan to gain control over Westeros. Despite this, Ormund openly despises the Targaryen family, and he seems to be exploiting Daeron’s Targaryen heritage while also trying to erase Targaryen traditions from the realm.
Daeron grew up in Oldtown, separated from his family, which meant he didn’t experience much of the Targaryen traditions he would have in King’s Landing. Ormund deliberately raised him as a Hightower, emphasizing that side of his heritage. Beyond owning the dragon Tessarion and carrying the Targaryen name, Daeron’s upbringing was designed to distance him from his Targaryen roots, leaving viewers of House of the Dragon to wonder if his silver hair was another Targaryen trait Ormund intentionally suppressed.
New episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 release on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.
2026-07-27 05:37