'House of the Dragon' Showrunner Explains Why Rhaena Replaced Nettles in Major Season 3 Change
House of the Dragon has confirmed one of its biggest departures from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, with Rhaena Targaryen now taking over a storyline originally assigned to Nettles in the book.
Ryan Condal reveals why House of the Dragon replaced Nettles with Rhaena, marking a major departure from the books.
The revelation came during the dramatic Battle of the Gullet, an episode that delivered the large-scale sea conflict fans had long anticipated. The brutal clash featured devastating losses and marked a significant turning point in the Dance of the Dragons.
HBO
During the battle, Rhaena, played by Phoebe Campbell, successfully bonded with the wild dragon Sheepstealer and entered the fight hoping to assist her family. However, she quickly discovered the dangers of controlling an untamed dragon. Sheepstealer unleashed fire indiscriminately and pursued Rhaena’s sister Baela and her dragon Moondancer, a chain of events that ultimately led to Jacaerys Velaryon and his dragon Vermax being shot from the sky. Jace later died after being struck by numerous arrows.
For readers of Fire & Blood, Rhaena’s connection to Sheepstealer was unexpected. In George R.R. Martin’s novel, the dragon is instead claimed by Nettles, a lowborn woman who earns the dragon’s trust by repeatedly feeding him sheep before eventually riding him into battle. Nettles later becomes a close companion to Daemon Targaryen, with rumors suggesting their relationship may have been more than friendship.
Fans had long anticipated Nettles’ live-action debut, but the latest developments confirm that the character has been removed from the series entirely. Speaking to IGN, showrunner Ryan Condal explained why the creative team decided to shift the storyline to Rhaena.
“It just felt to us that because again, this story is told in point of view, that it felt more apt as this is a family story to where we had the opportunity to involve one of the family members in the storyline. And because Rhaena has been set up since Season 1 as the member of this family who doesn't have a dragon and basically her sole identity is the Targaryen kid who doesn't have a dragon, it felt like that was a character that we had already set this long runway for that it could be very satisfying for the TV audience that didn't have an experience with the book at all to see that character claim a dragon and then in a very, I think, Game of Thrones and Westerosian kind of way, to reap the consequences of having her wish come true.”
Some viewers may interpret the decision differently, suggesting that transferring Nettles’ storyline to an existing character was more cost-effective than introducing another major cast member. The change also represents another instance of the series moving away from Martin’s original narrative.
Condal stressed that Rhaena’s long-awaited achievement comes with severe consequences.
“It's a very monkey's paw kind of moment for Rhaena. She gets her great wish and it becomes her greatest nightmare.”
What Nettles’ Absence Means for House of the Dragon
Removing Nettles has major implications for the future of House of the Dragon. One key question is how Queen Rhaenyra, portrayed by Emma D'Arcy, will react once she learns about Rhaena’s role in the disastrous battle and the impact it had on their family.
The adaptation choice also significantly elevates Rhaena’s importance within the story. Rather than remaining on the sidelines, she now faces the emotional burden of Jace’s death and the destruction caused during the battle. That guilt could motivate her to play a much larger role in the war moving forward.
Nettles’ absence also eliminates the possibility of adapting her potential romance with Daemon, a relationship that could have complicated family dynamics and intensified Rhaenyra’s jealousy and anger. Additionally, because Rhaena and Nettles follow very different paths in the novel, the series has created uncertainty about how Rhaena’s future will unfold.
Fans have already witnessed a major book deviation in House of the Dragon season 3, and it may not be the final change viewers see as the series progresses.
House of the Dragon season 3 airs Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
