Now that we’re just weeks away from the premiere of House of the Dragon season 3, a lot has been shared regarding what we can expect. We’ve gotten multiple teaser trailers, a full-length trailer, posters, and even a behind-the-scenes featurette. Though the cast is now doing press ahead of the London premiere on Monday, June 8, we’re not anticipating much in the way of major reveals until the show returns.
That said, there is one character expected to be introduced in season 3 who has surprisingly been kept under wraps. HBO has shared official photos and behind-the-scenes looks at newcomers such as Ormund Hightower, Black Aly, Torrhen Manderly, and Roddy the Ruin, but an important member of Team Green has been shielded from fans. Of course, we’re talking about Daeron Targaryen, son of Alicent Hightower and Viserys Targaryen.
Unlike Alicent and Viserys’s sons Aegon and Aemond, Daeron does not live in King’s Landing and rather was sent away to Oldtown as a child. There have been mentions of him a few times in the show, but he hasn’t appeared on screen yet. That will change in season 3, however, with confirmation that he’ll be played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth.
X account @housethedragons shared screenshots of an official listing from Sky Italia, which mentions the cast list for House of the Dragon season 3. Among the actors is Ainsworth as Daeron, finally confirming what has been reported by fan accounts for months now.
Why is House of the Dragon being so secretive with Daeron Targaryen?
It’s strange that HBO has yet to officially announce Ainsworth’s casting, leading many to believe there must be a strategic reason they’re hiding what Daeron will be up to in season 3.
There are plenty of theories out there speculating why this might be, ranging from Daeron potentially being the son of Criston Cole, to him having an unexpected bond with Jacaerys Velaryon. One leading theory, based on alleged scoops from the @housethedragons account, is that there will be a fakeout Daeron.
Durante as filmagens, Charlie era apresentado no set como se fosse o verdadeiro Daeron Targaryen e, consequentemente, MAIS DE UMA de nossas fontes o identificou assim.
— House the Dragons (@housethedragons) September 21, 2025
3/3
In September 2025, the account shared a thread in which they alleged that actor Charlie Gordon will be playing a fake Daeron, with set photos to back this up. The purpose of using a fakeout Daeron would likely be to trick Team Black somehow, though none of this has been confirmed.
What to know about Benjamin Evan Ainsworth
Ainsworth is an up-and-comer, but in addition to House of the Dragon, he’s also booked another huge role: Link in The Legend of Zelda. The video game adaptation directed by Wes Ball also stars Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda. The movie is expected to release in theaters on April 30, 2027.
The British actor, 17, has appeared in several notable movies and shows, including Netflix’s The Hunting of Bly Manor and The Sandman. He currently stars in the CBC sitcom Son of a Critch, which is confirmed to end with its upcoming fifth season.
Tessarion, a Rainha Cinza, e o exército de Ormund Hightower.🔥 pic.twitter.com/rhcohg8O0v
— House the Dragons (@housethedragons) May 30, 2026
Fakeout or not, Daeron should be a key player in the Dance of the Dragons moving forward. With his dragon Tessarion, he’s a major asset to Aegon’s cause as he joins the Hightower army.
House of the Dragon season 3 premieres on Sunday, June 21 on HBO and HBO Max.
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