Is There a Hidden Targaryen in King’s Landing?

House of the Dragon is weaving an intricate narrative with a couple of characters who are expected to play major roles in the impending Dance of the Dragons conflict. Characters like Addam and Alyn of Hull have made brief appearances, along with Hugh the Hammer. However, hints about their potential roles in the conflict have been minimal. Another character received a more detailed introduction in the latest episode, following a brief cameo earlier in the season, but his true identity remains questionable.

In the most recent episode of House of the Dragon, an unnamed character in King’s Landing caught significant attention, inquiring about the rat catchers who had been hanged. Portrayed by Tom Bennett, this character returns in Episode 3 with a more prominent scene. In a pub, he converses with some men from Braavos, claiming to be the son of Baelon Targaryen, also known as Baelon the Brave, and thereby the brother of Daemon and the late King Viserys.

Despite the potential for House of the Dragon to diverge from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, it seems unlikely that this character is being honest. Tom Bennett’s character is actually a pivotal figure in the Dance of the Dragons, known as Ulf the White.

Ulf is one of the infamous Two Betrayers, the other being Hugh the Hammer. The series has already briefly featured Hugh. In Martin’s account of Westeros, Ulf and Hugh answered Rhaenyra’s call to become dragonriders for her army, managing to pilot the dragons successfully. However, following a significant victory, the two betrayed Rhaenyra, taking their dragons to King’s Landing to fight for Aegon II instead.

Currently, it’s uncertain how Hugh and Ulf’s story from the book will be portrayed on screen, as both characters are in King’s Landing rather than Dragonstone. Nonetheless, a shot from the Season 2 trailer depicts them seated at a table with Rhaenyra, suggesting they will eventually become dragonriders.

Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” House of the Dragon unfolds 200 years prior to the events of Game of Thrones. Season 2 of House of the Dragon focuses on Westeros teetering on the edge of a brutal civil war, with the Green and Black Councils fighting for King Aegon and Queen Rhaenyra, respectively. New episodes air every Sunday on HBO at 9 p.m. ET.

The cast for House of the Dragon includes Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower, Emma D’Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon II Targaryen, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, and Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower.

Source: comicbook.com