‘House of the Dragon’ Showrunner Discusses Ser Hugh’s Betrayal Compared to Ulf

‘House of the Dragon‘ wrapped up its third season last week with one of the most intense episodes yet, as Rhaenyra’s forces launched an assault on Tumbleton to reclaim the town from Ormund Hightower. The fierce battle resulted in the deaths of several key characters, altered the power dynamics between the Greens and the Blacks, and set the stage for what showrunner Ryan Condal has confirmed will be the series’ final season, concluding a narrative that began with King Viserys’s death.

Amidst the chaos, one of the finale’s most shocking moments featured a betrayal by Ulf, a dragonseed who turned against both factions during the Battle of Tumbleton. This twist left fans speculating whether another dragonseed, Ser Hugh, might take a similar turn in George R.R. Martin’s source material, particularly after his wife fell victim in the same conflict.

Condal directly addressed this question in an exclusive interview with Collider, arguing that Hugh’s actions throughout the season already reflect a form of betrayal. He explained to Collider that Hugh effectively betrayed Rhaenyra by ignoring her orders, abandoning his post in King’s Landing, arriving uninvited to the battle, and failing to assist when the situation deteriorated. While Ulf’s betrayal had immediate consequences, Condal emphasized that Hugh’s treachery should not be overlooked.

Condal further elaborated that Hugh’s seemingly honorable demeanor, in contrast to Ulf, conceals a self-serving nature. He pointed out that Hugh has consistently acted out of self-interest, lacking a genuine commitment to the war or Rhaenyra’s claim beyond what benefited his own ambitions. With his wife now dead as a result of the Battle of Tumbleton, one of the only two things Hugh truly valued is lost.

Condal also discussed how the show adapted Ulf’s storyline from the source material, creating a clever twist that made his betrayal of both the Greens and the Blacks resonate deeply with viewers, contributing to Ormund Hightower’s demise during the battle.

Ormund’s death was always intended as a one-season arc for actor James Norton, according to Condal. He noted that the character’s impact on Rhaenyra and Daemon’s cause, along with the advantage it provided the Greens, made for a fitting conclusion. Condal suggested that Ormund’s role effectively hands the villain mantle to his nephews, Aegon and Aemond, as the series heads into its final season.

Beyond the arcs of Hugh and Ulf, Condal also touched on Rhaenyra’s changing relationship with Daemon, noting that she has now fully embraced his more aggressive approach after realizing that mere compromise wouldn’t be sufficient to secure her claim. This evolution has pushed Rhaenyra toward the more ruthless reputation she is destined to hold in Targaryen history as “Rhaenyra the Cruel,” a title the show has been gradually building towards over its previous seasons.

With Season 4 confirmed as the show’s concluding chapter, Condal made it clear during the same interview that he considers his exploration of the Targaryen dynasty essentially complete after this next season, indicating he has said all he has left to say about dragons, Targaryens, and thrones.

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