Tommy Flanagan, renowned for his roles in Sons of Anarchy, Gladiator, and Braveheart, will join the fray of the Targaryen civil war as Ser Roderick Dustin, the Lord of Barrowton and head of House Dustin in the North, affectionately known as Roddy the Ruin. Dan Fogler, famed for his work in Fantastic Beasts and A Complete Unknown, will portray Ser Torrhen Manderly, a knight from House Manderly in the North.
Flanagan and Fogler will join previously announced season 3 newcomer James Norton as Ormund Hightower.
“I don’t want to reveal too much because I believe this is one of those truly memorable Game of Thrones characters, and I’m thrilled to bring him into the fold,” says House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal. “He is a key figure in Fire & Blood, and I think he’s a true fan favourite. I’m very proud of the role we’ve crafted.”
Condal describes Flanagan as “a delight and a thrill,” expressing excitement about his portrayal of the character.
In Fire & Blood, George R.R. Martin’s fictionalised history of the Targaryen empire, Ser Roderick Dustin is introduced as “a warrior so old and hoary that men called him Roddy the Ruin.” He commands an army of 2,000 seasoned northmen known as the Winter Wolves — “grizzled greybeards in old mail and ragged skins,” as Martin vividly depicts.
Condal refrains from disclosing specifics about how they will adapt Roddy the Ruin and his Winter Wolves but notes that his creative team enjoyed writing for them.
“I’d like to think we’ve infused some northern spirit into our southern tale,” he remarks.
As for Ser Manderly, Fire & Blood describes him as clever, articulate, and corpulent. He is the second son of Desmond Manderly, lord of White Harbour and head of House Manderly.
