House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale restores a character detail from the world in George R.R. Martin’s books that was cut from Game of Thrones. As can often be the case for fantasy novels being adapted to the screen, some character descriptions from Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books didn’t make their way into Game of Thrones. For instance, a notable early complaint about Daenerys’ depiction in Game of Thrones was that the show cut the intriguing trait of Targaryens having purple eyes. Of course, it wasn’t just the Targaryens whose physical appearances were changed.
One character who appeared extremely different from their physical description in the books was Daenerys’ paramour Daario Naharis, originally played by Ed Skrein before being recast with Michiel Huisman. With most of Daenerys Targaryen’s story taking place in Essos, her journeys allowed Game of Thrones to expand its worldbuilding by exploring different cultures outside Westeros. Daario Naharis was very representative of Tyroshi culture in the novels, yet some crucial details in his description were cut from the show. Now, as House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale reintroduces Tyroshi characters, the prequel revives some traits that were removed from Daario.
House Of The Dragon Season 2’s Triarchy Leaders Reveal What Daario Naharis Should Have Looked Like In GOT
Daario Naharis Dyed His Hair Blue And Purple In Game Of Thrones’ Books
On orders from Prince Aemond Targaryen, Tyland Lannister sails to the Free Cities to treat with leaders of the Triarchy in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 8. Tyland initially makes his case to Tyroshi and Myrish captains, one of whom notably has dyed blue hair. Martin’s books explain that Tyroshi people often dye their hair and beards bright colors, a detail that House of the Dragon finally adapts but that Game of Thrones ignored. Similar to House of the Dragon’s unnamed Tyroshi captain, Daario Naharis dyed his hair and beard blue and purple in Game of Thrones’ books.
Ed Skrein portrayed Daario Naharis for three episodes in Game of Thrones season 3. When the character returned in Game of Thrones season 4, episode 1, he was played by Michiel Huisman. Both actors would go on to star in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon movies.
However, when Daario Naharis made his show debut in House of the Dragon, he initially had light brown/blonde hair, with his second iteration giving him dark brown hair. Game of Thrones memorably muted the more flamboyant descriptions of Daario from the book, including changes to his hair colors, beard styles, and clothing choices. The Daario in Game of Thrones hardly reflected the character described by George R.R. Martin, whose book counterpart looks more similar to the Tyroshi captain in House of the Dragon season 2.
Game Of Thrones’ Recasts Made Changing Daario’s Book Description More Ironic
Game Of Thrones Had The Opportunity To Restore Daario’s Blue Hair
Interestingly, Game of Thrones season 4 had the perfect opportunity to restore the original description of Daario from the books with his jarring actor recast. When Game of Thrones recast Daario Naharis, his appearance was completely different from Ed Skrein’s version of the character, yet Michiel Huisman’s iteration was still a far cry from the book description. Instead, it took until House of the Dragon season 2 to finally reveal what the book version of Daario Naharis would look like in real life.
