House of the Dragon has drawn criticism from fans for killing off a major actor just four episodes after his introduction. In season 3 episode 5, Ser Luthor Largent, played by Tom Cullen, is murdered alongside other members of the City Watch. Their bodies are gruesomely displayed in a tableau reminiscent of The Last Supper, with intestines spilling onto a table and a sign reading 'A Feast for Traitors.'
Luthor's role and death in the series
Luthor made his debut in episode two, when Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) asks him and the City Watch to allow Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) entry to King's Landing. He complies and later swears fealty to Rhaenyra, joining forces with Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), under whom he previously served. After Rhaenyra begins her rule, Luthor tracks down smallfolk graffitiing slurs about her in Flea Bottom, using brutal measures to kill the supposed offenders before they confess. City Watch members are then targeted and killed, culminating in Luthor's death at the end of episode five.
Tom Cullen's previous roles
Before House of the Dragon, Tom Cullen was best known for playing Anthony Foyle in Downton Abbey, and for roles in The Gold, Becoming Elizabeth, Weekend, Black Mirror, Knightfall, and the Channel 4 drama Trespasses.
Fans react to the early death
Fans expressed devastation that Cullen's character was killed off so soon, especially since in George R.R. Martin's source material Fire & Blood, Luthor dies later in the Riots of King's Landing, expected in season three or four. 'Why did they waste Tom Cullen for this?' wrote one fan on X. Another said, 'My mood got ruined QUICK,' while a third shared, 'The way I'm PERSONALLY devastated by this one.' Many viewers also voiced frustration that Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), a deeply unpopular character, remains alive. 'RIP Ser Luthor Largent it should've been Criston Cole,' wrote one fan. Another stated, 'They killed off Ser Luthor Largent so early on meanwhile that bum Criston Cole is still alive.' A third quipped, 'Criston Cole had the audacity to say he's the best knight knowing damn well Luthor and Daemon exist.'
Season 3's brutal trend
House of the Dragon season three opened with the shock death of Rhaenyra's firstborn son, Jacaerys (Harry Collett), at the Battle of the Gullet. As the Targaryen civil war continues, more gruesome bloodshed is expected. House of the Dragon is available on HBO Max, Sky, and NOW, with new episodes released on Mondays.
