‘House of the Dragon’ Star Teases Future of Missing Velaryon Character After Book Absence Sparks Fan Questions

House of the Dragon Season 3 continues to expand the world of George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, but one important character from the source material still remains absent from the screen, and fans are starting to take notice.

The HBO series, as reported by ScreenRant’s interview with actor Abubakar Salim, who plays Alyn of Hull, is preparing for what is being described as its “bloodiest” season yet. The story continues the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons, which takes place roughly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. At the center of the conflict are two powerful factions, House Targaryen and House Velaryon.

House Velaryon plays a major role in the war, especially through Lord Corlys Velaryon, also known as the Sea Snake, and his family line. While the Targaryens are known for their dragons, the Velaryons control naval power across the Narrow Sea. Season 3 continues to follow Corlys and his descendants, including Alyn and Addam of Hull, who are both rising in importance within the story.

However, one key figure from the books has not appeared in the series yet: Marilda of Hull. In Fire & Blood, Marilda is the mother of Alyn and Addam. She is portrayed as a ship captain and trader, and her background is tied closely to the mystery surrounding her sons’ parentage. In the books, she publicly claims Ser Laenor Velaryon as the father of her children, though rumors suggest deeper ties to Lord Corlys Velaryon himself.

Speaking to ScreenRant, Abubakar Salim addressed the possibility of Marilda appearing in the series and what her presence could mean for the story. He explained that her role could add emotional weight and depth to several characters, especially Alyn, Addam, and Corlys.

He said, “Moms play such a massive role in anyone’s life. Step-moms, adopted moms, just mothers in general. I think there is a real power there.” He added that introducing Marilda could shift how viewers understand the Velaryon family dynamic, saying, “I think if she was involved or if she was brought in, I think it would absolutely have some form of effect and show another color or side to Alyn and Addam, and even Corlys to a degree.”

Salim also pointed out how complex the show’s structure has become, noting that the story now includes many overlapping perspectives. He said, “Someone once said, ‘This show has 19 points of views,’ which is wild.” While he expressed interest in exploring more of Alyn’s backstory, he also acknowledged that the series must stay focused on its central war narrative.

In the show, Alyn of Hull is introduced as a lowborn sailor who saves Corlys Velaryon during the Stepstones conflict. His rise from obscurity to a position of influence places him directly in the unfolding political and military struggles of Westeros. Alongside his brother Addam, Alyn is expected to play a larger role in Season 3 as tensions escalate.

The upcoming season is expected to begin with the Battle of the Gullet, a major naval confrontation involving House Velaryon’s fleet. As the war intensifies, characters like Alyn are pushed into leadership roles, even as they struggle with questions of identity and loyalty.

Whether Marilda of Hull will eventually appear remains uncertain. However, as the story expands, the absence of key figures from the books continues to be a point of discussion among fans and cast alike, especially as House Velaryon’s story becomes more central to the conflict.

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