James Norton has described his experience joining House of the Dragon Season 3 as “a proper mad mad experience” and a “delightful” one. The actor, best known for roles in Happy Valley and Grantchester, is set to debut as Ormund Hightower in the upcoming season, which is scheduled to premiere in June 2026.
Quick read:
- James Norton will play Ormund Hightower in HOTD season 3
- The actor highly praises the opportunity
- He looks at his character with nostalgia
Entering the Game of Thrones universe
In a recent interview with Men’s Health UK, where he primarily discussed about his diabetes journey, Norton expressed his excitement about diving into the massive Game of Thrones universe:
“The main thing which is coming out that I am really excited about is the third series of House of the Dragon coming out in June… I am diving into the huge Game of Thrones universe.”
He revealed that his character, Ormund Hightower, is introduced in the very first episode of season 3. Norton was first mentioned at the end of season 2 as the lord marching from Oldtown with a large army of Hightowers to support the Greens in the Dance of the Dragons.
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“I’m marching from Oldtown with an army of Hightowers. I am that guy.”
James Norton (Ormund Hightower) at the HBO Max UK launch event in London! pic.twitter.com/f3nqMqFnsN
— Thrones Updates (@ThronesUpdate) March 25, 2026
A childlike joy on set
Norton described filming as both thrilling and nostalgic, saying it brought back deep childhood memories:
“It really does sort of trigger some very childlike memories… the kid who ran around pretending to be archetypal. Like dragons in the air… suddenly I am exactly like some deep union level. I’m like I am my six-year-old again, but I get to do it for a living.”
He called the whole experience “lovely” and “mad,” especially enjoying the swords, armour, and large-scale battle sequences that come with playing a major lord in the Targaryen civil war. Norton’s enthusiastic comments suggest that Ormund Hightower will play quite a role as the war escalates in season 3, bringing fresh energy to the Hightower side of the conflict.
Who is Ormund Hightower?
Ormund Hightower is the Lord of Oldtown and the head of House Hightower. In House of the Dragon, he is the nephew of Ser Otto Hightower (the former Hand of the King) and a first cousin to Alicent Hightower and her brother Ser Gwayne Hightower.
With season 3 just months away, fans are now even more eager to see James Norton march into Westeros as one of House Hightower’s most influential figures.

















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