The House of the Dragon season 3 finale delivered a bloodbath, with the Battle of Tumbleton causing mass destruction and major losses for both Team Black and Team Green. Among the fallen was Ormund Hightower (James Norton), who met a horrifying end—burnt alive by a dragon after Roderick 'Roddy' Dustin (Tommy Flanagan) plunged his sword into him.
Ormund's Brutal Demise
Ormund, a despicable character introduced this season, had been a tormentor since his debut, exerting his power over Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), the youngest child of his cousin Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). Despite his villainy, his death left many fans, including this writer, furious. He was one of the best parts of the season, and his absence in the fourth and final outing is a loss.
A Villain Worth Rooting For
With Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) descending into mercilessness, the show needs compelling antagonists. Ormund was one of the best, a scheming mastermind who proved a worthy opponent to Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). Norton's portrayal, praised for his chilling roles like Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley, brought depth to the character.
Fans React to Ormund's Exit
Fans took to social media to express their mixed feelings. 'We will miss Ormund. Thank you for portraying him so well. He made season 3 very interesting,' commented naat.kpz on Instagram. albadivision added, 'Bro carried the entire season and he deserved a much better death.' Others called him 'absolutely iconic' and 'among my favourite characters.'
Norton himself acknowledged the death, posting on Instagram: 'Ruined by Roddy,' alongside a behind-the-scenes photo with Tommy Flanagan. While Ormund's end was abrupt, it was memorable, giving Norton an unforgettable finish to a fascinating character.
House of the Dragon is available to watch on HBO Max, Sky and NOW.
