Otto Hightower

Otto Hightower, played by Rhys Ifans, is the father of Ser Gwayne and Queen Alicent Hightower and Hand of the King to Jaehaerys, Viserys I and Aegon II in House of the Dragon. After Queen Aemma dies he pushes Alicent toward the grieving king; they marry and Aegon is born. Pressed by his brother Hobert to put Aegon ahead of Princess Rhaenyra, he is dismissed by Viserys once the king sees through the match, then restored ten years later after Lyonel Strong's death. With Tyland Lannister, Jasper Wylde and Grand Maester Orwyle he plots for years to crown Aegon, and does so when Viserys dies. In season 2 Aegon ignores his counsel, and after Otto questions him Aegon replaces him with Criston Cole; Otto leaves for Oldtown and is taken captive on the way. In season 3 he is found in the black cells under the Red Keep, where Larys Strong held him, and Rhaenyra beheads him.