Gwayne Hightower Explained: What To Know About Alicent's Brother In House Of The Dragon

WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!

Another member of House Hightower is introduced in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, begging the questions of where Gwayne Hightower has been and how important Alicent’s brother is to the Dance. After House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 confirmed the existence of Alicent’s fourth child, Daeron Targaryen, the latest episode finally reveals her long-unseen older brother, Gwayne Hightower. Joining the cast of House of the Dragon season 2 as Gwayne Hightower is actor Freddie Fox, who will become a familiar face as the war continues.

Gwayne Hightower briefly appeared in House of the Dragon’s season 1 premiere, as he was a knight in the tourney hosted by King Viserys. However, his face wasn’t shown in that episode, with the armor and helmet-covered character then being played by Will Willoughby. In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, Gwayne finally has a proper introduction as his character arc begins. After Otto is fired by Aegon as Hand of the King and returns to the Reach, his son Ser Gwayne arrives at King’s Landing to march a host with Criston Cole to the Crownlands, giving the Hightowers more representation in Team Green’s war strategy.

Where Has Gwayne Hightower Been In House Of The Dragon?

Gwayne Hightower has just arrived from Oldtown in HOTD season 2

According to George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, Gwayne Hightower had been in King’s Landing with his father Otto Hightower, mother Alyrie Florent, and sister Alicent ever since Otto became Hand of the King to Jaehaerys I Targaryen. However, Gwayne wasn’t among the Hightowers who arrived at King’s Landing for Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding in House of the Dragon season 1, as only Otto, Alicent, and Hobert Hightower were present. Additionally, Gwayne meets Criston Cole for the first time in House of the Dragon season 2, revealing he’s been living elsewhere for the past two decades.

In House of the Dragon, Gwayne has been living in Oldtown before his arrival at King’s Landing in season 2. While meeting Criston, Alicent explains that her brother rode in from Oldtown the previous night, with Gwayne elaborating that he had been “on the road” for three months prior. It seems that the Hightowers decided to send Gwayne to King’s Landing after Criston unseated Otto as Hand of the King, as he’s able to keep tabs on Criston and the war council while upholding the powerful House Hightower’s interest in King Aegon’s rule throughout the Dance.

Gwayne Hightower’s Book Story & How House Of The Dragon Changes It

Gwayne Hightower was a Gold Cloak in Fire & Blood

As Gwayne joins Ser Criston Cole in marching to the Crownlands in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, the HBO show is already making some big changes from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book. In the book, Ser Gwayne Hightower is named second-in-command of the City Watch before Otto Hightower is fired by Aegon. Otto devised this plan so that Gwayne could keep an eye on the Commander of the City Watch, Ser Luthor Largent, and report on any perceived signs of disloyalty to Aegon. Consequently, Gwayne was a Gold Cloak during the Dance in Fire & Blood, not a soldier on the battlefield.

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With Gwayne seemingly not being a Gold Cloak in House of the Dragon, the show may also introduce some changes to his fate and death during the Dance. In the HBO series, it seems like Gwayne will be playing a far more active role in King Aegon II Targaryen’s war council and battle command under Ser Criston Cole. However, unlike his book counterpart, Gwayne is initially distrustful of the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard/Hand of the King in House of the Dragon season 2, even casting suspicion onto him when he sees Alicent and Criston speaking before they leave for the Crownlands.

Gwayne wasn’t a very significant character during the Dance in Fire & Blood, but that seems to be changing in House of the Dragon season 2. This is most likely because the show needs another important character for Ser Criston Cole to bounce off of during the upcoming battles. While Criston Cole led Aegon’s army throughout the Dance and occasionally convened with Aemond, his story became quite separate from the other main players. With Gwayne Hightower traveling across the realm and fighting in battle with Criston, House of the Dragon gives both figures more complex character dynamics amidst the chaos of war.

What Happens To Gwayne Hightower & When He Dies

Gwayne dies when Rhaenyra takes King’s Landing in the book

Unless House of the Dragon backtracks and quickly makes Gwayne a Gold Cloak, the manner of his death will almost certainly be different from the book. Fire & Blood reveals that when Rhaenyra Targaryen takes King’s Landing, Gwayne goes to the stables to sound the city’s alarm, but ends up being taken by his fellow Gold Cloaks and dragged before Luthor Largent instead. Luthor had been loyal to Daemon Targaryen the entire time, so after Gwayne calls Luthor a turncloak, the Commander of the City Watch proceeds to fatally stab Gwayne in his stomach before opening the gates for Team Black.

Given House of the Dragon‘s differences, it’s likely that Gwayne isn’t killed by Luthor in the show. He could end up dying in battle alongside Ser Criston Cole, either before or after the Fall of King’s Landing to Rhaenyra. It’s unlikely that’ll die during the Fall unless he returns to King’s Landing early to rendezvous with Alicent and Otto, as Criston Cole’s army is still marching south from Harrenhal when Rhaenyra takes the Iron Throne. Regardless, with Gwayne Hightower having a bigger role in House of the Dragon, his death is certain to be a gory Game of Thrones-style demise.

New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

House of the Dragon

Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.

Cast

Jefferson Hall , Paddy Considine , Fabien Frankel , Ryan Corr , Eve Best , Gavin Spokes , Graham McTavish , Steve Toussaint , Olivia Cooke , Sonoya Mizuno , Bill Paterson , Matthew Needham , Emma D’Arcy , Matt Smith , Rhys Ifans , David Horovitch

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Seasons

2

Directors

Miguel Sapochnik , Clare Kilner , Alan Taylor , Greg Yaitanes , Geeta Vasant Patel , Andrij Parekh

Showrunner

Ryan Condal

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