House of the Dragon fans have been busy crafting theories about young Prince Daeron Targaryen, and one of the most popular ideas has caught the attention of the actor who plays him.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who portrays Daeron, recently addressed the widespread fan theory via Variety, that Lord Ormund Hightower has been secretly dyeing the prince’s hair dark to hide his true Targaryen features. He said,
“I have seen that. Do you know what, it’s funny because it wouldn’t be too far-fetched for Ormund to think of something like that. He seriously is the type of guy to do that.”
A theory that fits the character
Ainsworth acknowledged that the idea aligns with how Ormund has been portrayed calculating, protective, and willing to manipulate appearances for political advantage. He also noted that the possibility was never explicitly confirmed or denied during filming.
“There’s an element to it where it wasn’t explicitly said when we were on set either way. So there’s a world in which that could be happening, but I don’t know.”
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Credits: HBO
Preferring a deeper connection
While he finds the hair-dye theory entertaining and plausible, Ainsworth said he personally prefers a more emotional interpretation of Daeron’s appearance.
“I think there’s something quite nice about him having his mother’s hair, there’s this connection he feels. He hasn’t seen his mother in years, but he’s made an ideal image of what his mother might be in the hope of some kind of other future for him. So the hair being the same, and the green colors, and the picking of his nails, things like that, I think it’s quite nice to draw that link between Alicent and Daeron.”
In this reading, Daeron’s darker hair and certain habits serve as quiet reminders of Alicent, the mother he has been separated from for so long. The visual and behavioral parallels become a source of comfort and identity rather than a deliberate disguise orchestrated by Ormund.
Fan theories keep the conversation alive
Ainsworth expressed genuine appreciation for the audience’s engagement with the character.
“It’s been so cool to see all of the audience reception and theories, and the excitement that people have for the character in the show is beyond me.”
Whether Daeron’s hair is the result of Ormund’s scheming or a meaningful link to Alicent, the actor’s comments show how much thought he has put into the role and how closely he has been following the fan conversation around it. As House of the Dragon continues, both interpretations remain possible, leaving viewers free to decide which version of Daeron’s story feels most compelling.
