The New Blood: 10 Major Actors Joining House Of The Dragon And Their Pivotal Roles In The Dance Of The Dragons

The escalating conflict between the Blacks and the Greens in *House of the Dragon* is about to get bloodier, and with war comes a massive influx of new, powerful characters. As of December 2025, the latest official and well-sourced casting announcements for Season 2 and the early reveals for Season 3 confirm that the world of Westeros is expanding with some of the biggest names in British and American television, signaling a dramatic shift in the power balance of the Dance of the Dragons. This article breaks down the crucial new additions, their roles, and the real-world profiles of the actors who will bring George R.R. Martin’s pivotal figures to life. The next chapters of the Targaryen civil war will introduce key players from the Riverlands, the North, and the Oldtown faction, all of whom are essential to the unfolding tragedy. The casting choices for these roles—from the mysterious woods witch of Harrenhal to the formidable Lords of the North—are a testament to the show's commitment to high-caliber talent, ensuring the political intrigue and dragon-fire battles of the upcoming seasons are as gripping as the first.

Confirmed New Cast and Biographical Profiles (Season 2 & 3)

The tradition of stellar casting, a hallmark of the *Game of Thrones* universe, continues with *House of the Dragon*. The following is a detailed look at the new actors who have been officially announced or reliably reported to be joining the ensemble cast for the second and third seasons, along with their most notable previous work.

Abubakar Salim (Alyn of Hull)

• Role: Alyn of Hull, a Velaryon bastard who becomes a key figure in the war.
• Born: January 7, 1993, in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England.
• Notable Works: Salim is widely recognized for his role as Father in the Ridley Scott-produced HBO Max sci-fi series *Raised By Wolves*. He is also a BAFTA-nominated video game developer, having created the action-adventure game *Tales of Kenzera: Zau*.

Gayle Rankin (Alys Rivers)

• Role: Alys Rivers, a mysterious woods witch residing at Harrenhal, whose influence on the war and on Aemond Targaryen is significant.
• Born: September 1, 1989, in Paisley, Scotland.
• Notable Works: Rankin is best known for her role as Sheila the She-Wolf in the Netflix comedy-drama series *GLOW* and as Emily Dodson in the HBO drama *Perry Mason*. She has also received a Tony Award nomination for her stage work.

Freddie Fox (Ser Gwayne Hightower)

• Role: Ser Gwayne Hightower, the son of Otto Hightower and brother to Queen Alicent. He is a knight and a member of the Green Council faction.
• Born: April 5, 1989, in Hammersmith, London, England.
• Notable Works: Fox comes from the renowned Fox acting dynasty. His prominent screen roles include playing singer Marilyn in the BBC drama *Worried About the Boy* and appearances in *The Three Musketeers* and *The Crown*.

Sir Simon Russell Beale (Ser Simon Strong)

• Role: Ser Simon Strong, the Castellan of Harrenhal and a cousin to the late Lord Lyonel Strong.
• Born: January 12, 1961, in Penang, British Malaya (now Malaysia).
• Notable Works: A highly decorated and esteemed stage actor, described as "the greatest stage actor of his generation." On screen, he is known for his roles in *Penny Dreadful*, *The Death of Stalin*, and *Dunkirk*.

James Norton (Ormund Hightower)

• Role: Ormund Hightower (Season 3), the Lord of Oldtown and the head of House Hightower during the Dance of the Dragons. He is a cousin to Queen Alicent.
• Born: July 18, 1985, in London, England.
• Notable Works: Norton is a major British star, famous for his acclaimed role as the villain Tommy Lee Royce in the crime drama *Happy Valley*. He has also starred in *Grantchester* and *The Nevers*.

Tommy Flanagan (Ser Roderick Dustin)

• Role: Ser Roderick Dustin (Season 3), the Lord of Barrowton and the head of House Dustin in the North, known by the nickname "Roddy the Ruin."
• Born: July 3, 1965, in Glasgow, Scotland.
• Notable Works: Flanagan is globally recognized for his long-running and iconic role as Filip “Chibs” Telford on the FX series *Sons of Anarchy*. He has also appeared in films like *Braveheart* and *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*.

Dan Fogler (Ser Torrhen Manderly)

• Role: Ser Torrhen Manderly (Season 3), a key figure from the North, representing House Manderly.
• Born: October 20, 1976, in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
• Notable Works: Fogler is best known for playing Jacob Kowalski in the *Fantastic Beasts* film series and for his role as Luke in *The Walking Dead*.

The Key New Characters Driving the Black and Green Factions

The casting of these actors is not just about filling roles; it’s about introducing pivotal figures whose actions will define the war. The second and third seasons will focus heavily on the consequences of Lucerys Velaryon’s death, forcing both Queen Rhaenyra’s Black faction and King Aegon II’s Green faction to seek new allies and military strength.

The Rise of the Dragonseeds: Alyn of Hull

Abubakar Salim’s casting as Alyn of Hull is one of the most exciting additions for fans of the source material, *Fire & Blood*. Alyn is one of the "Dragonseeds," bastards with Targaryen or Velaryon blood who attempt to claim a dragon during the war. His arc is one of the most compelling and transformative in the entire narrative. Alyn of Hull is initially a common sailor in the Velaryon fleet. His journey from an ordinary man to a dragonrider is a classic underdog story, echoing the fan-favorite narratives of the original *Game of Thrones*. His relationship with Corlys Velaryon and his brother, Addam of Hull (another Dragonseed), will be central to the naval battles and the succession of House Velaryon. Salim’s previous work on *Raised By Wolves* demonstrates his ability to handle complex, morally ambiguous characters, which is perfect for Alyn's challenging path.

The Enigma of Harrenhal: Alys Rivers and Ser Simon Strong

The casting of Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers and Sir Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong immediately draws attention to the cursed castle of Harrenhal, a location central to the rise of House Strong and the downfall of many great houses. Alys Rivers is one of the most mysterious figures in Westerosi history. She is a woman of uncertain parentage, rumored to be a woods witch or a bastard of House Strong, or possibly both. Her connection to the supernatural and her eventual entanglement with Aemond Targaryen (who claims the dragon Vhagar) will inject a deep vein of dark fantasy and prophecy into the Green faction’s story. The choice of Rankin, known for her intense, nuanced performances, suggests the character will be far more than a simple sorceress. Similarly, Sir Simon Russell Beale brings immense dramatic weight to Ser Simon Strong. As the Castellan of Harrenhal, he represents the old guard of the Riverlands. His presence ties directly into the complex and often tragic history of the Strong family, a house that has already caused so much turmoil for the Targaryens and the realm.

Northern and Oldtown Power Players for the War

The casting announcements for Season 3, while early, confirm that the war will soon encompass the entire continent, bringing in powerful houses from the North and bolstering the Green’s base of power in the South.

The Might of the North: Roddy the Ruin and House Dustin

Tommy Flanagan’s casting as Ser Roderick Dustin is a clear signal that the North will play a crucial, aggressive role. Ser Roderick, or "Roddy the Ruin," is the Lord of Barrowton and a staunch supporter of Queen Rhaenyra’s Black faction. Known for his fiery temperament and military prowess, he commands the Northern forces, often referred to as the "Winter Wolves." Flanagan’s experience as Chibs in *Sons of Anarchy* makes him an ideal choice for a rugged, loyal, and battle-hardened warrior who will not hesitate to enter the fray. His character’s presence confirms that the show will move beyond King’s Landing and Dragonstone to explore the brutal ground warfare of the Dance of the Dragons. The inclusion of Dan Fogler as Ser Torrhen Manderly further solidifies the North’s commitment to the Blacks. House Manderly, the powerful house of White Harbor, controls the only major port in the North, making their loyalty critical for Rhaenyra's supply lines and military strategy.

The Pillar of the Greens: Ormund Hightower

James Norton’s addition as Ormund Hightower for Season 3 is a significant strategic casting for the Green faction. Ormund is the Lord of Oldtown, the second most powerful city in the realm and the seat of the Faith of the Seven and the Citadel. As the head of House Hightower, he is Queen Alicent’s cousin and the most powerful military leader supporting Aegon II outside of King’s Landing. Ormund's character is crucial as he leads the Hightower armies in the field, making him a central figure in the Greens’ military campaigns. Norton's ability to portray characters with gravitas and underlying intensity, as seen in *Happy Valley*, perfectly suits the role of a noble Lord thrust into the bloody leadership of a civil war.

Returning Core Cast and the Unbreakable Conflict

While the new cast members are essential, the core conflict remains centered on the returning ensemble. The emotional weight of the war rests on the shoulders of the main actors:

• Emma D'Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (The Blacks)
• Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower (The Greens)
• Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
• Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower
• Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon
• Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
• Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole
• Matthew Needham as Larys Strong

These established figures will interact directly with the new cast, forging alliances and betrayals that will ultimately determine the fate of the Seven Kingdoms. The introduction of characters like Alyn of Hull and Alys Rivers will test the loyalties of Daemon and Aemond, respectively, while the arrival of the Northern Lords will immediately shift the military focus away from the capital. The expansive and fresh casting for the upcoming seasons guarantees that the Dance of the Dragons will be a vast, complex, and utterly devastating spectacle.