The devastatingly ambitious, blindly authoritarian and terrifyingly calculating character in ‘House of the Dragon’ – Ser Otto Hightower is played by Welsh actor Rhys Ifans. Rhys Ifans has been active in his acting career since 1991 and has worked in a number of successful films. His brother Llyr Ifans is also a Welsh actor.

House of the Dragon is the long-awaited spin-off prequel HBOThe celebrated epic fantasy series Game of Thrones. The plot of the prequel series is set about two hundred years before the events of GOT.

Otto Hightower was the Hand of the King to King Jaehaerys I, the predecessor of King Viserys I, who is the reigning king when the first season of HOTD opens. Otto is appointed as Viserys’ Hand of the King as well.

And his plans and plots during this time are what set the stage for the coming Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragon.

After the death of Viserys’ wife, Queen Gemma Arryn, Otto forced his daughter Alicent Hightower, who grew up with the royal family, to console and support the late and vulnerable king who announced the inevitable reliability of the king over Alicent which led to his desire to marry. her

This was the first step to monopolize power for his house by using his daughter as a pawn. He slowly turned Alicent’s heart against her best friend Princess Rhaenyra leading to the infamous Princess vs. Queen motif of the Dance of the Dragon.

The nature of Otto Hightower is characterised by immense patience, acute political intelligence, and the ability to maintain a calm mind without clouds during hostile situations.

All these features appear on Otto’s face when he’s thinking or planning or calculating. And there could be nobody better to portray those traits than Rhys Ifans.

In several interviews, Ifans has been described by his ‘House of the Dragon’ co-stars as the funniest person on set, who will pull jokes on the others, interrupting their interviews.

They think it is astonishing that a person with such a humorous nature can portray a serious man like Otto Hightower. Ifans previously acted in a number of other films as well which are as follows.

Rhys Ifans movies

Twin Town (1997)-

Ifans together with his real-life brother Llyr Ifans starred in this film as Jeremy Lewis. This was his first major film role.

Notting Hill (1999)-

He played Spike in this romantic film and received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Danny Deckchair (2003)-

Ifans played the lead character of Danny Morgan in this Australian comedy film.

Enduring Love (2004)-

He played the antagonist Jed in this psychological thriller.

Mr. Nobody (2009)-

Ifans played the role of father to Nemo (Jared Leto) in this sci-fi drama.

Mr. Nice (2010)-

He played the lead character of Howard Marks in this crime drama.

Greenberg (2010)-

Ifans played Ivan Schrank in this comedy-drama film.

Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010)-

In the film, Ifans starred alongside Emma Thompson as Phil Green.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)-

Ifans also portrayed Luna’s father Xenophilius Lovegood in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1’.

Anonymous (2011)-

This is a period drama in which Ifans played Edward de Vere. The film is set in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, played by Vanessa Redgrave, and is controversial because it suggests that Shakespeare’s plays were initially written by playwright and poet Edward de Vere.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)-

As Dr. Curt Connors aka Lizard, he starred in the film and received a nomination for the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain. He co-starred in the film with Andrew Garfield playing Peter Parker aka Spider-man and Emma Stone playing Gwen Stacy.

Dominion (2015)-

Ifans portrays Welsh poet Dylan Thomas in this film.

Len and Company (2015)-

He starred as the titular main character Len in this independent comedy drama.

Under the Milk Wood (2015)-

Ifans was cast as Captain Cat in this Welsh drama adapted from the same radio drama by Dylan Thomas. Ifans also served as the film’s narrator.

The Parting Glass (2018)-

Ifans played Karl in this American Canadian drama.

Official Secrets (2019)-

As Ed Vulliamy, Ifans starred in this English drama in which he starred alongside Keira Knightley, Matt Smith, Matthew Goode, and Ralph Fiennes.

Bad Behavior (2020)-

In this comedy-drama, Ifans portrayed the founding father of the Miss World pageant Eric Morley. In this film, lil Ifans took part together with Keira Knightley.

The Phantom of the Open (2021)-

Ifans portrayed Keith Mackenzie in this biographical comedy co-starring Mark Rylance portraying British golfer Maurice Gerald Flitcroft and Sally Hawkins.