Actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth spoke about playing Prince Daeron Targaryen in the HBO Max series House of the Dragon during a promotional interview.
Ainsworth, 17, connected via Zoom from the United Kingdom for six-minute media sessions during a promotional press junket. The actor is one of the youngest figures working in Hollywood, and the finale of the third season of House of the Dragon airs this Sunday.
The series is based on the book Fire and Blood by George R. R. Martin and acts as a prequel to Game of Thrones. Set 200 years before the original series during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, played by Paddy Considine, the story focuses on the struggle for power.
In the show, Daeron Targaryen initially follows the orders of his uncle Ormund Hightower, played by James Norton, to survive. However, the character soon faces an assassination attempt.
Working with James Norton
Ainsworth told La Republica that reading morally ambiguous characters is never black and white or simple. He said the complexity of the characters attracted both him and the audience to the show.
The actor explained that there are always multifaceted layers to people. He noted that he enjoyed the intricate script details involving Daeron and Ormund, praising James Norton for making Ormund come alive in a fluid, chaotic, and unpredictable way during filming.
Ainsworth got his first main role in the 2020 series The Haunting of Bly Manor. Production officials also recently announced that he will play Link in the live-action movie adaptation of The Legend of Zelda.
Career milestones and personal connections
Ainsworth said he was already a fan of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon as a viewer. He described auditioning and joining the cast a year and a half later as surreal, adding that the welcoming cast made him feel part of a team despite initial intimidation.
Regarding his character, Ainsworth said Daeron's connection with his dragon Tessarion, known as The Blue Queen, is his purest relationship. He noted that Daeron can be himself with Tessarion without concealing any emotions or intentions.
Ainsworth said he connects with Daeron's search for identity because he is 17, turning 18 soon, and preparing for his final year of high school. He explained that his own life is about to experience a drastic change, making it fun to analyze how Daeron reacts to being thrust into a new situation.
Future career outlook
Ainsworth credited his parents and his acting teacher, Sarah Arrington, for supporting his career since he started acting. He also highlighted the experience of working alongside industry leaders such as Jim Clay, Ryan Condal, and the show's directors.
Ainsworth stated that while he does not know what the role will mean for future productions, he loves acting and hopes to continue working in the field.
