Warning: The following article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 8, “The Queen Who Ever Was.” It also includes potential spoilers for future installments.
House of the Dragon‘s second season leans hard into its dragonseed subplot, however, we still haven’t met one of the storyline’s major players: Nettles. So, why isn’t Nettles in House of the Dragon Season 2?
Related: House of the Dragon: Who Rides Silverwing?
Why Nettles Isn’t in House of the Dragon Season 2, Explained
House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 5, “Regent,” ends with Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and Prince Jacaerys Velaryon planning to find and enlist illegitimate Targaryen dragonriders (or dragonseeds). This lines up with the show’s source text, Fire & Blood, in which the Black Targaryen camp mounts a similar recruitment drive.
We find out who these dragonseeds are in subsequent episodes, and they’re all featured in the book. Ulf White is one of them, as are Addam of Hull, and blacksmith Hugh Hammer. But there’s no sign of Nettles, despite her prominent role in Fire & Blood. Not only does Nettles (along with her dragon, Sheepstealer) fight in the legendary Battle of the Gullet, but she also strikes up a romance with Rhaenyra’s husband, Prince Daemon Targaryen!
Related: House of the Dragon: Is Aemond Targaryen King Now?
Clearly, Nettles is a big deal. So, why isn’t she in House of the Dragon Season 2? Series co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal has avoided answering this question in several interviews, including a recent session with Variety. “With that character, I’m not ready to comment yet on anything that hasn’t been established in the show just yet,” he said.
By contrast, Condal was far more transparent about another “missing” character, Prince Daeron Targaryen. Condal confirmed that Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower’s youngest child will appear (properly) at some point down the line – assurances he wouldn’t offer regarding Nettles. Is this reluctance a sign that Condal and his team have cut one of Fire & Blood‘s most popular dragon riders? It certainly looks that way!
Has House of the Dragon Cut Nettles Entirely?
House of the Dragon Season 2’s finale, “The Queen Who Ever Was,” all but confirms Nettles won’t up in future seasons. As many fans correctly predicted, the episode ends by giving Nettles’ character arc (and dragon) to Lady Rhaena Targaryen. It’s not the first time the wider Game of Thrones franchise has streamlined the A Song of Ice and Fire books’ sprawling cast, either.
Related: Does Rhaena Get a Dragon in House of the Dragon?
Both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon have scrapped numerous supporting characters, including some who play a major part in the books’ narrative. In such instances, the axed characters’ storylines were transferred to other, more essential players (such as Sansa Stark subbing in for Jeyne Poole in Game of Thrones Season 5).
House of the Dragon Season 2 is currently streaming on HBO and Max.
The above article was updated on 8/5/2024 by the original author to include information from the House of the Dragon Season 2 finale.
Published: Aug 5, 2024 08:25 am