Hang on, there's a major book character that's been left out of House of the Dragon
Contains potential spoilers
House of the Dragon has just aired its fourth episode, meaning we're now halfway through season two, and yet we're still to meet a major character from the book Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin, the series is based on. And many fans are taking to social media to complain about the lack of the character's appearance on the series, so who is the mysterious Nettles? And why isn't she on the show?
Who is Nettles?
Nettles is a character from George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood. She first makes her appearance in the book when Jacaerys Targaryen (Rhaenyra's son) begins his hunt for 'dragonseeds' aka people who could ride dragons because of their Targaryen or Valyrian blood, in order to help win the fight against the Greens.
Nettles is one of the dragonseeds who comes forward and is the only person who successfully manages to bond and tame the wild dragon Sheepstealer. While her lineage has not been confirmed, we do know that she was born in Driftmark and she is also the only known Black character in the original novel.
The dragonrider helped in numerous battles throughout the war of the Greens vs the Blacks, and is also said to have developed a relationship with Daemon, including becoming his bed mate, who he grew very fond of, which of course infuriates Rhaenyra. Nettles in fact becomes so close to Daemon she travels with him on his quest to find Aemond.
However some readers have theorised Nettles wasn't in fact Daemon's lover, but his secret bastard daughter.
Is Nettles going to appear on House of the Dragon?
Given how close her relationship with Daemon is, her bond with Sheepstealer, and her impact on the war, many viewers are expecting Nettles to make an appearance on the show. However, as of yet there's been no confirmation from HBO we'll be seeing Nettles this season or any future of the series either.
Warning: potential spoilers ahead. In the series we've already seen three of the four dragonseeds, Ulf White, Hugh Hammer, and Addam of Hull, and they've all been given decent screentime to set up for their future involvement in the war. However, so far there's been no mention or sighting of Nettles.
This is not to say she won't appear, however, there are some theories to suggest her storyline will instead be given to Daemon's daughter Rhaena, who last we saw was departing Dragonstone to take the younger children to safety. Obviously, if Nettles' storyline were to be given to Rhaena, we really hope they take the relationship with Daemon out of the storyline.
But we perhaps shouldn't give up hope of a Nettles appearance, as when asked by Black Girl Nerds about Nettles appearing in the show, showrunner Ryan Condal said: "I would just say, ‘Stay tuned'." So it's not a yes, but it's also not a no.
Guess we'll just have to watch the show and keep our fingers crossed for Nettles to appear.
House of the Dragon is available to stream on NOW
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