James Norton as Lord Ormund Hightower

Radio Times published a first-look image on July 8 showing James Norton as Lord Ormund Hightower in season 3, episode 4 of *House of the Dragon*, adding a new look at a character HBO had already confirmed for the current season. The outlet said the image shows Norton’s character “in a rage,” and framed it as further evidence that Ormund is moving into a larger on-screen role. HBO’s official season 3 production announcement had previously listed Norton among the cast as Ormund Hightower. ### Who is James Norton playing in the series? HBO said in its season 3 production release that James Norton is playing Ormund Hightower, one of the newly added figures in the latest chapter of the *Game of Thrones* prequel. The Warner Bros. Discovery press release listed Norton alongside other season 3 cast additions and said production on the season had begun. (radiotimes.com) HBO Max’s series page lists the show as the ongoing Targaryen prequel set 200 years before the events of *Game of Thrones*. The platform says season 3 is now streaming, placing Norton’s character within the current run rather than a future installment. ### What did Radio Times actually show? Radio Times’ fantasy news page carried the item under the headline that a first look at season 3, episode 4 shows off Norton’s “villainous new character in a rage.” The site surfaced the image as part of its episode preview coverage. (press.wbd.com) The wording matters because Radio Times tied the image to episode 4 specifically, rather than to season-wide promotional material. (hbomax.com) That places the reveal within the show’s weekly rollout and gives viewers a more precise marker for when Norton’s character appears in a heightened moment. ### How long has Norton’s casting been known? Warner Bros. (radiotimes.com) Discovery had already confirmed Norton’s involvement before the latest episode preview. In its season 3 production note, the company said Norton had been “previously announced” as Ormund Hightower, indicating the casting itself was not new even if the still image was. Radio Times has also reported separately that season 3 was due in summer 2026, with actor Matt Smith suggesting an August 2026 episode rollout, though HBO had not formally confirmed that exact month in the report. That earlier coverage helps place the new episode-4 image within the season’s current release window. (press.wbd.com) ### Is season 4 already moving ahead? Wiki of Thrones reported on July 8 that *House of the Dragon* season 4 scripts are finalized and that filming is likely to begin in early 2027. The fan site’s homepage and related coverage present that as the latest production milestone for the show’s final season. Ryan Condal had already said work on season 4 was underway. (radiotimes.com) Wiki of Thrones reported earlier that Condal said writing on the fourth season had “begun in earnest,” while a separate report on the site said season 4 had been confirmed as the final chapter of the series. ### Where does that leave viewers now? (wikiofthrones.com) HBO Max says season 3 of *House of the Dragon* is now streaming, and Radio Times tied Norton’s latest still to episode 4. Wiki of Thrones reported the next major production step is early-2027 filming on season 4, after scripts for the final season were completed. (hbomax.com) (wikiofthrones.com)