James Norton, who plays Lord Ormund Hightower, opened up about the complicated dynamic between Ormund and Daeron in Season 3. He explained that the bond isn’t just manipulative — it’s layered with genuine affection, making it all the more toxic. Norton described the relationship as psychologically abusive but deeply conflicted, a mix of love and control that shapes Daeron’s path in unsettling ways.
Affection mixed with abuse
Norton emphasized that the relationship couldn’t be portrayed as pure manipulation in an interview with TV Insider: “One of the things which was really important to me from the very first conversation I had with [series co‑creator Ryan Condal]… this relationship has to have love, has to be full of affection. I can’t be just entirely manipulative.
It has to be one of those really psychologically abusive and toxic but also really complicated, conflicting relationships, because Daeron’s too bright and too competent to just suffer at the hands of an abuser.”
Credits: HBO
A father figure with control
Ormund has raised Daeron in Oldtown, becoming a father figure who mixes praise with coercion. This blend of warmth and toxicity makes Daeron dependent on Ormund’s approval, even as he resents the manipulation. It’s a dynamic that blurs the line between mentorship and abuse, leaving Daeron caught in a web of conflicting emotions.
Why it matters
By combining affection with psychological control, Ormund ensures Daeron’s loyalty while shaping him into a weapon for the Greens. The complexity of their bond adds depth to Daeron’s arc, making him both sympathetic and unpredictable. For Rhaenyra, facing a prince molded by Ormund’s toxic love could prove more dangerous than any dragon.