Home of the Dragon Actor on Ulf the White’s Life Improve

Whereas it’s at all times been clear that Home of the Dragon‘s noble homes would anchor the season-two drama, it additionally turned obvious early on that the smallfolk—usually missed, routinely oppressed—were going to have new prominence in Westeros’ newest energy battle. Final evening, “The Red Sowing” confirmed us simply how essential sure “lowborn” characters had been actually going to be.

In case you’re not caught up…

In episode seven, Rhaenyra’s more and more frantic scheme to search out two riders for Crew Black’s pair of riderless dragons truly paid off: Hugh the Hammer acquired the snort of approval from Vermithor, and Ulf the White discovered a brand new good friend in Silverwing.

Ulf popped up in an earlier episode bragging about his Targaryen heritage, although he hesitated when he heard Rhaenyra was in search of bastards who would possibly change into dragonriders. He has this nagging leg harm, you see… and he’s additionally undecided he actually has Targaryen blood—a severe consideration, as a result of a dragon will know who’s worthy, and can incinerate anybody who isn’t.

However—after some good-natured shaming from his consuming buddies—he decides to strive his luck. And fortunately for Ulf, all of it works out; as we see within the episode’s ultimate moments, he’s having an absolute blast using Silverwing over his previous stomping grounds of King’s Touchdown (infuriating Aemond, the Prince Regent, within the course of). Talking to the Hollywood Reporter, actor Tom Bennett mirrored on his character’s sudden life improve.

“It’s big. Ulf is the underside of the barrel; he’s Flea Backside by way of and thru,” Bennett mentioned. “He’s poor folks and the oppressed. He’s the working class man below the thumb of the ruling courses and lived with that his total life. Immediately, he’s sitting on a nuclear warhead. The ability shift is large. Let’s see what he does with that.”

Bennett additionally shared some insights into what led Ulf to that second—in addition to explaining what’s going by way of the character’s head when he realizes Silverwing isn’t going to roast him. To place it one other means: why did he snigger in that second? “You suppose you’re going to die and there’s only a large launch of aid, and that I made a decision and [episode director] Loni [Peristere] appreciated it. As a result of, let’s be trustworthy, he’s one of many solely characters within the present who ever smiles, not to mention laughs. Each time I’m on set, I attempted to make use of that. Ulf stands out like a sore thumb for a lot of causes. One in every of which is I’m one of many solely characters that’s simply having enjoyable.”

Home of the Dragon‘s eighth episode, the season two finale, arrives Sunday evening on HBO and Max.

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