“He’s really only alive when he’s at war” – Daniel Ings on what sets Lyonel Baratheon apart from other Westerosi lords

In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Ser Lyonel Baratheon cuts a striking figure. He carries the weight of a famously tempestuous house, and yet does things in his own way. While speaking at a press day for the new series, Daniel Ings, who portrays Lyonel, reflected on how the lord is unlike the other highborn Westerosi lords.

Quick read:

• Daniel Ings says Lyonel Baratheon is addicted to battles.
• Ings believes that Lyonel is “a crusading adventurer.” 
• Lyonel is upholding his family name through his adventures and wars.

Daniel Ings on the Lord who thrives on war

At the press event, Daniel Ings reflected on Lyonel Baratheon’s love for war (via Gizmodo). He said, “I sort of see him as fairly battle-hardened at this point in time, and I always kind of thought of him as being essentially addicted—he’s really only alive when he’s at war. And so in a way, for Lyonel, it was about finding something that’s worth fighting for.”

Viewers already met Lyonel in the pilot of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Despite his initial suspicions about Dunk’s intentions, Lyonel eventually warms up to the hedge knight. Lyonel not only has a dance off with Dunk, but also tells him stories of his adventures. As the series progresses, the Laughing Storm will play a larger role in Dunk and Egg’s journey.

Daniel Ings discussed the meaning of the Baratheon name to Lyonel

Dunk and Ser Lyonel Baratheon in A Knight of Seven Kingdoms on HBO (Image: HBO)

Every lord and prince in Westeros fights tooth and nail to uphold the name of their House and protect their bloodline. Lyonel Baratheon is no different in that aspect, but he certainly has his own ways to do it. In the interview, Ings explained what Lyonel’s family name means to him.

The Crown star said, “I feel like he’s a sort of crusading adventurer, really. I always thought of him as a bit of a pirate, and a lot of the characters in the world of Game of Thrones are essentially wrapped up in what it means to be part of their family and what the family name means to them.”

He added that for Lyonel, “what it means is, like, going off on these adventures and fighting battles and testing oneself against a worthy foe.” Elsewhere, he also mentioned that the script had described Lyonel as a mix of the fictional pirate Jack Sparrow and the famed author Ernest Hemingway.