Watching a mother and son kiss on one of the biggest fantasy series premieres this year may not have been on our bingo cards, but the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon had other ideas. Although season three of the series just dropped on HBO Max on Sunday, the first episode has already broken the internet thanks to the unexpected dynamic between Prince Aemond Targaryen and his mother Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke).

Ewan Mitchell, who plays Aemond, told Entertainment Weekly that while fans were totally shocked by the kiss, he “kind of saw it coming”. “It’s like, ‘I’m the daddy now,’” said the actor. “He is the new leader. I think it leaves the question, ‘What is the relationship gonna be with Alicent going forward?’”

But how exactly did Mitchell become part of the iconic fantasy universe, and did you know he never watched the original show before stepping into his role as Aemond Targaryen?

What else has Ewan Mitchell been in?

Before House of the Dragon made him a household name, Ewan Mitchell, 29, was already quietly building an impressive résumé. He landed his first on-screen roles in the 2015 short films Stereotype and Fire. He made his television debut in the ITV period drama The Halcyon. His profile rose with the BBC Two and Netflix historical drama The Last Kingdom. In 2023, he appeared in the viral thriller Saltburn alongside Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan.

But Mitchell’s portrayal of Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon became the breakthrough role that changed everything for him. “Since landing him, I feel like I’m able to now steer the course of my career,” he told The New York Times. He booked the role after an audition with the showrunner, Ryan Condal, who was instantly impressed by Mitchell’s performance and unsettling presence – exactly what his character Aemond is all about.

In an interview with CBR, the actor revealed that he did not watch Game of Thrones to prepare for the role – or ever, actually. “I didn’t want it to inform my decisions in any way, shape or form, whether it be consciously or subconsciously. I wanted to bring something fresh,” he explained.

He’s quietly becoming a style icon

Mitchell might not be known for major brand collaborations yet, but he has a distinct style, and has worn designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen and Dunhill on the red carpet. The actor has also featured in men’s style titles including British GQ, i-D magazine and Esquire. He told the latter publication that he ditched his House of the Dragon character’s style to be “more himself” at the season three world premiere in London, choosing a sleek, black Louis Vuitton suit.

His stylist, Davey Sutton – who has also worked with celebrities like Ross Lynch and Louis Partridge – prefers to style Mitchell in a way that reflects his individuality, he told GQ while preparing the actor for his GQ Man of the Year 2024 nomination. “This outfit embodies classic and timeless elegance, yet carries a distinctive edge,” the stylist said of Mitchell’s Dior look, which they chose together.

Adidas seems to be Mitchell’s go-to brand in his downtime, however, the actor appearing to prefer relaxed and comfortable fits that are a far cry from what Prince Regent Aemond wears.

Is Ewan Mitchell on social media?