Benjamin Evan Ainsworth on Daeron Targaryen's Identity Crisis and Playing Link

Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, the actor portraying young Prince Daeron Targaryen in HBO's 'House of the Dragon,' has delved into the intricate internal struggles of his character, particularly Daeron's conflicted relationship with his uncle, Lord Ormund Hightower.

In a recent interview, Ainsworth described Daeron as being caught in a "tug of war" between Ormund, who is grooming him for the throne, and his other uncle, Ser Gwayne Hightower, who seeks to protect him. "It’s almost like our relationship is so entwined that it feels like every step he takes in a scene I kind of step back," Ainsworth said of his dynamic with Ormund, played by James Norton. He characterized Ormund as a "fatherly figure" despite the "twisted" nature of their relationship, while Gwayne, portrayed by Freddie Fox, acts as a more "brotherly figure."

Ainsworth elaborated that Daeron's true self emerges more when he is with Gwayne, suggesting that the prince has developed a "mechanism of covering up" when around Ormund due to his unpredictable nature. The recent episode saw Daeron finally reunited with Gwayne, who identified assassins sent by Rhaenyra amidst a gathering arranged by Ormund, providing Daeron with a crucial "wake up call."

"The stakes are continuing to rise in Tumbleton for Daeron, but also there’s a sense of a breath of fresh air comes through Gwayne’s presence," Ainsworth noted. He highlighted Daeron's skepticism about his own future, particularly regarding the Hightower's plan to place him on the Iron Throne. "If you had asked Daeron the question two weeks earlier, he would have said, 'Well, I’ll become a knight, and then I’ll return to my family.' And in the space of a week, the answer’s completely changed," Ainsworth explained. "He’s been thrust into this kind of role of a king. His face is on a coin."

The actor also shared details about filming a chaotic scene involving would-be assassins. "It was like the craziest day ever. It was like the most Game of Thrones day I think anyone’s had," he said, describing the on-set mayhem. From Daeron's perspective, this experience underscored the reality of the threats he faces, noting that while Gwayne offers support, Ormund's "sensory sensitivity" leaves him debilitated. The immediate aftermath saw Daeron engaging in sparring, which Ainsworth interpreted as an effort to prove his self-sufficiency and escape the surrounding chaos.

Comparisons have been drawn between Daeron and his brother Aemond, particularly after Daeron's sparring scene. Ainsworth reflected on the isolating nature of Daeron's upbringing in Oldtown, away from his siblings, and how that might have shaped him. "If he had been around his brothers he would have had some kind of community, but he also would have been kind of vulnerable to the sour politics and the kind of the righteousness that kind of is in King’s Landing." He suggested that Daeron's sense of a moral compass stems partly from this lack of connection, leading him to seek love through various figures.

Ainsworth also touched upon Daeron's bond with his dragon, Tessarion, and how it conflicts with Ormund's instructions. He sees this internal conflict as mirroring the clash between Daeron's Hightower and Targaryen heritage, contributing to questions about his identity. "The power dynamics now are really clashing because he's being styled king, yet he's still in squire-ly garments. It’s like a kettle that’s boiling," Ainsworth stated.

Looking ahead, Ainsworth revealed his upcoming role as Link in Nintendo's live-action 'The Legend of Zelda' movie. He found the coincidence of playing characters in fantasy epics who wear green tunics and wield swords to be amusing. Ainsworth noted similarities in the scale and detail of both productions, crediting the welcoming nature of the sets and the fans for making the experiences enjoyable.