John Macmillan as Laenor Velaryon
British actor John Macmillan has had a successful career on stage and screen since 2009, and is most notable for his work in a 2018 TV movie version of King Lear. His performance as Edmund stood out even in a production that featured the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Emily Watson, Florence Pugh, Emma Thompson, Tobias Menzies, Jim Broadbent and Jim Carter. This should give you a sense of this man’s talent and ability to play larger-than-life characters.
Macmillan is playing Laenor Velaryon, the husband to Rhaenyra Targaryen and son of Corlys Velaryon. His marriage to Rhaenyra is purely political. It’s well known that Laenor is gay, and it’s whispered that his children with Rhaenyra aren’t really his, but rather the sons of Harwin “Breakbones” Strong, but he loves the kids all the same.
Alicent and her greens use the rumor that Rhaenyra’s children are bastards as justification for denying Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne.
Laenor is an interesting character and a tragic figure that Macmillan should knock out of the park. I look forward to seeing the depth that an actor like Macmillan can bring to the character.
Theo Nate as Young Laenor Velaryon
Young Laenor is being played by Theo Nate, meaning that Laenor is getting the older-younger actor treatment. It also looks like Solly McLeod will play Ser Joffrey Monmouth, Laenor’s lover in his younger days.