WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale!
Summary
House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale restores a character detail from the world in George R.R. Martin’s books that was cut fromGame of Thrones. As can often be the case for fantasy novels being adapted to the screen,some character descriptions from Martin’sA Song of Ice and Firebooks didn’t make their way intoGame of Thrones. For instance, a notable early complaint about Daenerys’ depiction inGame of Throneswas that the showcut the intriguing trait of Targaryens having purple eyes. Of course, it wasn’t just the Targaryens whose physical appearances were changed.
One character who appeared extremely different from their physical description in the books was Daenerys’ paramour Daario Naharis, originally played by Ed Skrein before being recast with Michiel Huisman. With most of Daenerys Targaryen’s story taking place in Essos, her journeys allowedGame of Thronesto expand its worldbuilding by exploring different cultures outside Westeros. Daario Naharis was very representative of Tyroshi culture in the novels, yet some crucial details in his description were cut from the show. Now, asHouse of the Dragon’s season 2 finalereintroduces Tyroshi characters,the prequel revives some traits that were removed from Daario.
House Of The Dragon Season 2’s Triarchy Leaders Reveal What Daario Naharis Should Have Looked Like In GOT
Daario Naharis Dyed His Hair Blue And Purple In Game Of Thrones' Books
On orders from Prince Aemond Targaryen, Tyland Lannister sails to the Free Cities to treat withleaders of the Triarchy inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 8. Tyland initially makes his case to Tyroshi and Myrish captains, one of whom notably has dyed blue hair. Martin’s books explain that Tyroshi people often dye their hair and beards bright colors, a detail thatHouse of the Dragonfinally adapts but thatGame of Thronesignored. Similar toHouse of the Dragon’s unnamed Tyroshi captain,Daario Naharis dyed his hair and beard blue and purple inGame of Thrones’ books.
Ed Skrein portrayed Daario Naharis for three episodes inGame of Thronesseason 3. When the character returned inGame of Thronesseason 4, episode 1, he was played by Michiel Huisman. Both actors would go on to star in Zack Snyder’sRebel Moonmovies.
However, when Daario Naharis made his show debut inGame of Thrones, he initially had light brown/blonde hair, with his second iteration giving him dark brown hair.Game of Thronesmemorably muted the more flamboyant descriptions of Daario from the book, including changes to his hair colors, beard styles, and clothing choices. The Daario inGame of Throneshardly reflected the character described by George R.R. Martin, whosebook counterpart looks more similar to the Tyroshi captain inHouse of the Dragonseason 2.
Game Of Thrones: What Happened To Daario Naharis
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Game Of Thrones' Recasts Made Changing Daario’s Book Description More Ironic
Interestingly,Game of Thronesseason 4 had theperfect opportunity to restore the original description of Daario from the books with his jarring actor recast. WhenGame of Thronesrecast Daario Naharis, his appearance was completely different from Ed Skrein’s version of the character, yet Michiel Huisman’s iteration was still a far cry from the book description. Instead, it took untilHouse of the Dragonseason 2 to finally reveal what the book version of Daario Naharis would look like in real life.
In a fantastical world where dragons hatch from eggs and the undead Night King and White Walkers hunt beyond the Wall, including a man with blue hair and a gold mustache wouldn’t be a stretch.
Considering he already felt like an entirely new character upon being recast,Game of Thronescould have easily brought back Daario with his book counterpart’s dyed hair, colorful clothing, and jewelry. It’sunclear whyGame of Thronesdecided to cut Daario’s book features, as it doesn’t seem likely that the changes were due to budget issues or obstacles to dyeing wigs various colors. In a fantastical world where dragons hatch from eggs and the undeadNight King and White Walkershunt beyond the Wall, including a man with blue hair and a gold mustache wouldn’t be a stretch.
Game Of Thrones Erased 2 Huge Characters Who Could Have Fulfilled Daario’s Cut Book Detail
More Blue-Haired Sellswords Didn’t Make It Into Game Of Thrones
Even if it was too late to restore Daario’s book appearance once he was recast,Game of Throneshad two other major characters who could have fulfilled his blue-haired sellsword description. Among the biggest book characters thatGame of Thronescut is Young Griff, who claims to secretly be Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell’s presumed-dead son Aegon Targaryen. Being raised by the Mad King Aerys' exiled Hand, Jon Connington, both disguise themselves after Robert’s Rebellion as sellswords in the Golden Company named “Griff” and “Young Griff.”
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Game of Thrones had some major Targaryen twists with Jon Snow and Daenerys, but it cut one of the books' biggest surprises: Young Griff, aka Aegon.
To hide their identities,Griff and Young Griff both dye their hair blue, similar to Daario Naharis. The two claim that dyeing their hair blue is a way to honor Young Griff’s late Tyroshi “mother.” Perhaps because the truth about Young Griff’s identity had (and has still) yet to be confirmed in Martin’s books,Game of Thronescut both Aegon “Young Griff” Targaryen and Jon “Griff” Connington from the show. Therefore, the show lost another two characters who, despite not actually being from Tyrosh, could have represented the location’s cultural customs that were absent from Daario Naharis' TV depiction.
Game Of Thrones' Next Spinoff Has A Big Choice To Make After HOTD’s New Tyroshi Character
A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Will Introduce A Major Tyroshi Character In House Targaryen
During the long wait forHouse of the Dragonseason 3, theGame of Thronesfranchise will debut its nextspinoff prequel show,A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, in 2025. Based on George R.R. Martin’sTales of Dunk and Eggnovellas, the series follows the adventures of Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall, a hedge knight, and “Egg,” a young boy who becomes his squire.HBO’sA Knight of the Seven Kingdomsshowexplores another era in House Targaryen’s reign, about 90 years beforeGame of Thronesand 75 years afterHouse of the Dragon’s timeline.
Every Targaryen In A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Explained
The Targaryen dynasty was in full swing by the time of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and the upcoming Game of Throne spin-off will have plenty.
One major character inHouse Targaryen’s family treeduring this story will beKiera of Tyrosh, the widow of the late Prince Valarr Targaryen. Kiera goes on to marry Prince Daeron Targaryen after her husband’s death, expanding her importance within the family and its issues regarding the Iron Throne’s succession. Kiera is expected to play a relatively bigger role inA Knight of the Seven Kingdomsshow than Daario Naharis did inGame of Thrones, which gives the TV universe its most prominent Tyroshi character yet.
As such, the upcoming prequel has an important decision to make with her after changing Daario, namely aboutwhetherA Knight of the Seven Kingdomswill give Kiera dyed hair and a style more reflective of Tyroshi culture. Unlike Daario, Kiera isn’t given a detailed description in Martin’s books, so HBO’s upcoming show has more creative freedom when adapting her character. But, givenHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s new Tyroshi captain finally features the location’s signature dyed hair, it seems likely that Kiera could appear in the new spinoff with colorful hair and a clothing style traditional to Tyrosh.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
