Queen Rhaenyra’s desperate search for Dragonriders led to a dangerous trial by fire, claiming countless lives. Yet, amidst the carnage, one person emerged, Hugh Hammer. A survivor of the ordeal and now the proud rider of Vermithor, Hugh carries the blood of a Targaryen princess.
His mother, Princess Saera, was a woman scorned by her father, King Jaehaerys, for her wild spirit and scandalous life. Now, as fate would have it, Saera’s son claims the legendary dragon was once flown by his grandfather, and fans believe the casting for this role has been absolutely perfect!
House of the Dragon Casting Hits the Bullseye Yet Again, Hugh Hammer’s Ties to Jaehaerys I Explained!
Hugh Hammer, whose name and humble blacksmith father may seem ordinary, but actually carries a royal legacy. His mother, Princess Saera, was a scandalous figure and the estranged daughter of King Jaehaerys I.
Ironically, Hugh now rides Vermithor, the dragon once ridden by his grandfather, Jaehaerys. The casting of Kieran Bew as Hugh feels almost prophetic, connecting the grandson of Michael Carter’s Jaehaerys with this legendary dragon. Speaking about his character with Deadline, Bew revealed,
I know exactly who I am. I don’t know who my dad is, but I know exactly who my mom is. My mom is a very specific person in the book and she comes with an incredible history of behaviors and defiance. And as I say in the show, he really struggled with that. He’s never spoken about his real heritage to his wife. He’s never told his wife who his mom is because he’s ashamed.
And there’s a whole history that he’s tried to sort of ignore to try to live a different life, being an illegitimate part of this massive family. He’s been living in a particular way, trying to be an honorable, a decent dad and a member of society. And he’s been doing a decent enough job, but things are about to change.
Here is what the fans are saying about this new character,
HOTD casting director strikes again. Hugh looks like Jaehaerys reborn.
— JJ 😈 (@KingJordan_57) July 29, 2024
Now the casting is 10/10, The resemblance of Hugh and Jaeghaerys is so striking
Episode 7 is on a 9.4 ranking from me
— .💸 (@Big_kegg) July 29, 2024
That's why Hugh Hammer wants to be King.
— Satyam Patel | 𝕏… (@SatyamInsights) July 29, 2024
Probably the reason why huge hammer would try to take the throne for himself
I would love to see how it would play out 🤨
— The Prince (@Mittymartz) July 29, 2024
Vermithor comes to the correct person only
— Karthik (@dkarthiks) July 29, 2024
I love the connections in this show. Incredible writing by GRRM.
— 🇺🇸Clekro🇺🇸 America in Distress (@ClekroTTV) July 29, 2024
Hugh Hammer’s journey has only just begun. With his unexpected rise from a blacksmith to a Dragonrider, fans are eagerly anticipating his next chapter. The possibilities for this complex character are endless, and viewers are eager to see what role he will play in the unfolding saga.
Who Was Hugh Hammer’s Mother? Saera Targaryen, the Banished Daughter of King Jaehaerys I
Born a princess, Saera Targaryen’s story is one of the most heartbreaking ones in the saga. She was the youngest of King Jaehaerys I and Queen Alysanne’s nine children who lived to see adulthood. Despite her royal blood, Saera was infamous throughout Westeros for her scandalous behavior. Her actions caused such a stir that her father, King Jaehaerys, disowned her and sent her to live with the Silent Sisters. The plan was for her to spend the rest of her life in celibacy.
However, Saera had different plans. She broke free from the Silent Sisters and charted her own course, starting a brothel and living as she pleased. It was during this chapter of her life it is believed that she gave birth to Hugh Hammer.
Despite the intrigue surrounding her life, Saera is not seen in the House of the Dragon. Hugh references her only in the past tense, and in Fire & Blood, it is recorded that she had passed away before her father’s death. In a world that sought to confine women, she blossomed into one strong force that defied it all. Her story, while compelling and heartbreaking, remains a part of the past, never to be fully explored on screen. Fans certainly hope to see and learn more about her in the future.
House of the Dragon is streaming on Max.
