Who Is Gwayne Hightower? Freddie Fox’s Role in ‘House of the Dragon’, Explained
Fox’s character comes as a major addition to the Greens’ forces in House of the Dragon’s season 2, but fans might not worry about him until the end of the entire show. Here’s everything about Freddie Fox’s role and what happens to Gwayne in the big finale.
Things have been relatively quiet in House of the Dragon’s highly criticised second season, but there’s no way for the show to avoid some pretty nasty battles in the upcoming third instalment.
The series’ second season saw both the Greens and the Blacks scheming against each other as both parties keep assembling bigger forces for the imminent war, so no wonder House of the Dragon got to introduce some new major characters in between.
Particularly, Slow Horses’ actor Freddie Fox also joined the cast at the time in a bigger role, currently portraying a minor, yet important character and the Greens’ ally.
Freddie Fox Plays Gwayne Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon’
Initially introduced in the show’s first season, Gwayne is a member of the powerful Hightower family, Otto Hightower’s son and Queen Alicent’s brother.
Having grown up in Oldtown, Gwayne moved to King’s Landing with his parents and sister; he later participated in the Heir’s Tournament held for the celebration of Alicent and King Viserys I’s wedding.
After the latter’s death and Otto Hightower’s dismissal as Hand of the King, Gwayne travels back to King’s Landing as Alicent hopes he’ll be able to join forces with Criston Cole ahead of the Greens’ mission to secure Harrenhal.
However, Gwayne quickly shows his distrust for Cole, later confronting him for the affair he’s having with Gwayne’s sister.
What Will Happen to Gwayne in ‘House of the Dragon’? (Heavy Spoilers Ahead!)
If the show is to follow the storyline of George Martin’s “Fire & Blood” (which no one can be entirely sure about), Gwayne Hightower will likely be kept alive until the most definite finale in the fourth season.
In the book, the Dance of Dragons unfolds at the time when Gwayne is appointed second-in-command of the City Watch to keep an eye on the loyalty to King Aegon II Targaryen.
However, the character is later killed during the fall of King’s Landing by Ser Luthor Largent, the commander of the City Watch who has betrayed the Greens and pledged loyalty to Daemon Targaryen.
When Will ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Be Released?
The show’s next instalment doesn’t have a premiere date yet, but will arrive on HBO Max sometime in 2026.
