House of the Dragon's Aemond star admits there's 'no going back' after brutal betrayal

*Warning - The following article contains spoilers from House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4.*

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 saw a huge shift for Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), as he emerged victorious from the battle of Rook’s Rest - but at a terrible cost. Actor Ewan Mitchell has since given his thoughts on the shocking events that unfurled in the latest instalment of the HBO series, admitting there’s “no going back” after what Aemond has done.

In the fourth chapter of the Game of Thrones spin-off show, which is based on George R.R. Martin’s prequel book Fire & Blood, the war between House Black and House Green quickly escalates when several royals show up on their dragons unexpectedly in the battle of Rook’s Rest. Shockingly, we see Aemond brutally betray his brother Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and kill fan-favourite Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) in a violent fight that happens up in the air.

Both sides plan to enter the battle with the element of surprise, with Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) agreeing to send her aunt Rhaenys in order to quickly put an end to the fight. Meanwhile, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Aemond also have a similar plan, with the latter hiding in the trees with his gigantic dragon Vhagar.

However, what no one expects is for inexperienced King Aegon to join the fray. In a tragic twist, Rhaenys and Aegon’s dragons become tangled during the fight and - rather than swooping in to help his brother - Aemond rains fire down on the pair, causing Aegon to suffer a terrible fall on his loyal dragon Sunfyre.

While Rhaenys is able to get away, she decides to bravely return on her dragon Meleys and fight Aemond on his much larger dragon, which eventually leads to her death.

At the end of the episode, a horrified Ser Criston falls to his knees in the woods where he finds a barely breathing dragon curled around Aegon's still body, as he is seemingly convinced that his King has died on his watch.

This marks a huge turning point for Aemond as, while we do not know whether his brother is dead or alive, it is not clear what lies in store for him.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Aemond actor Ewan opened up about the tense scenes and the thought process behind them.

He said: “It’s a seismic event that’s changed the future going forward with these characters. Aegon’s fate remains unknown. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone.

“But going into episode five, you are going to see the fallout of Rook’s Rest, which I can’t wait for people to see. It’s a massive blow for Team Black. The line in the sand has been drawn and Aemond just crossed that line. And there’s no going back. I’m sure there will be retaliation.”

Asked who Aemond believes belongs on the throne, he pondered: “You don’t necessarily know what is going on behind Aemond’s eye. You don’t know what he’s thinking, but you do know that he is thinking. He’s a very calculative person.

“He’s not just your one-dimensional black cat and mindless sociopath kind of character. He is thinking at all times. You see that in the first four episodes — in so much of them he operates from the peripheries. But, does he even want the throne? [Shrugs.]”

Responding to a query over whether Aemond feels resentful about being second in line to the throne after his much less competent brother, he said: “He feels that Aegon lacks the perseverance to be king. Aegon says it himself: he has no wish to rule.

“Whereas Aemond, he’s been studying with the masters. He’s been training with the sword, so he very much feels like he would make a worthier king, whether or not that’s what Aemond wants.”

What’s next for Aemond after his sudden attack on Aegon? We’ll just have to wait and see.

House of the Dragon season 2 lands in the UK on Mondays at 2am BST (British Summer Time) on Sky Atlantic and NOW, with a repeat airing later on at 9pm.