Happy Valley star lands role in House of the Dragon – as series three gets major filming update
A HAPPY Valley star has landed a role in HBO smash-hit House of the Dragon - while series three gets a major filming update.
The Game of Thrones prequel debuted in August 2022 and takes place almost two centuries before the original show.
Happy Valley viewers know James, 39, portrayed Tommy Lee Royce in the BBC crime drama.
He will now be stepping into the world of Westeros as Ormund Hightower.
A description for the character reveals he is “Otto’s (Rhys Ifans) nephew, Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Gwayne’s (Freddie Fox) cousin, and the Lord of Oldtown. He is presently leading the Hightower host in a march on King’s Landing to support his house against Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy).”
More on House of the Dragon
Ormund had been referenced in the show previously, but is now being introduced physically.
Reacting to James' casting as Ormund, one viewer wrote on X: "Great actor! Looking forward to it."
Another penned: "Good addition."
While a third said: "Oh, this is going to be good!.. House of the Dragon just keeps getting better and better."
A source close to the show told The Sun that series three is in production, with filming starting next month for airing in 2026.
Elsewhere, James also had a starring role in the ITV detective drama Grantchester.
He played 1950s Anglican vicar Sidney Chambers, who turns sleuth in the village.
This saw him team up with DI Geordie Keating (Robson Green) to solve crimes.
Since leaving the show in 2019, James was replaced by Tom Brittney and more recently, Rishi Nair.
James was also previously announced to star in Netflix epic historical drama House of Guinness.
Who stars in House of the Dragon?
A prequel to smash-hit fantasy series Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon premiered in August 2022. The show features an ensemble cast playing characters in the fictional setting of Westeros. Let's take a look at some of the famous faces in House of the Dragon.
Paddy Considine: Actor, director and screenwriter Paddy received the role of King Viserys I Targaryen in House of the Dragon and led the ensemble in sesason one. Paddy's film credits include Hot Fuzz and The World's End, while his other TV work ranges from Peaky Blinders, The Outsider and The Third Day. He is also known for his collaborations with director Shane Meadows.
Matt Smith: Matt became the youngest ever actor to play Doctor Who, when he nabbed the role as a 29-year-old in 2009. Now a few years removed from the beloved BBC show, he is now playing the unpredictable Prince Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Matt also starred as Prince Philip in The Crown, receiving a Primetime Emmy award nomination for his performance.
Olivia Cooke: From Oldham in Greater Manchester, Olivia Cooke has enjoyed success on both sides of the pond. She had a starring role as Emma Decody in Bates Motel from 2013 to 2017. Prior to starring as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, Olivia also appeared in period drama Vanity Fair and the sci-fi film Ready Player One, which was directed by Steven Spielberg.
Rhys Ifans: Before playing Ser Otto Hightower, Rhys Ifans was no stranger to blockbuster franchises. He's played Xenophilius Lovegood in Harry Potter and Marvel Comics villain Dr Curt Connors/Lizard. He portrayed Mycroft Holmes in CBS series Elementary. Rhys also starred in films such as Notting Hill, Kevin & Perry Go Large and Enduring Love.
Emma D'Arcy: Before landing the role of Princess/Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Emma had appeared as a main cast member in Wanderlust and Truth Seekers. Their film credits include 2020's Misbehaviour opposite a cast including Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Kinnear, Keeley Hawes, Jessie Buckley, Phyllis Logan and Lesley Manville.
It will see him team up with Game of Thrones legend Jack Gleeson, who played infamous villain Joffrey Baratheon.
The upcoming series has been penned by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
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He also stars in four-part ITV drama Playing Nice, portraying the role of Pete Riley.
The premise follows two couples discovering their babies were switched at birth.