House of the Dragon Season 2 official trailer
Archie Barnes, star of The Batman, has taken on the role of Ser Oscar Tully, the new Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, in the second season of House of the Dragon. But what is his backstory in George RR Martin's original book Fire and Blood?
In the TV series' penultimate episode 'The Red Sowing', young Oscar pledges his loyalty to Rhaenyra Targaryen, the rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, during a meeting with her estranged husband Daemon Targaryen at the eerie Harrenhal castle.
Oscar's allegiance plays a crucial role in the impending dynastic war between the Blacks and the Greens. As the head of House Tully, he commands not only their bannermen - including the Strongs, Freys, Brackens, Mallisters and Mootons - but also the Trident.
Both Daemon and his rival Ser Criston Cole understand that control of the Riverlands will be a significant advantage when the dragons finally begin to dance, hence Daemon's vigorous pursuit of Oscar's submission.
In George RR Martin's creation, Oscar is actually the great-grandson of Lord Grover Tully in Fire and Blood (in the show, he's the grandson); brother to Kermit and son of Elmo. He is characterised by his red hair and determination to become a warrior, reports the Mirror.
Martin amusingly named Oscar, Kermit and Elmo as a nod to The Muppets, with the youngest boy seemingly inspired by Oscar the Grouch. However, HBO's adaptation merges all three characters into one, so his storyline in the series may not necessarily align with the one in the book.
In the narrative, Oscar goes on to heroically defeat three men in the Battle of the Kingsroad, earning him a knighthood for his bravery. He then marches towards King's Landing, but yields to Lord Cregan Stark.
Once the conflict is resolved, Oscar forms a group known as the Stormbreakers and departs Westeros for the Free Cities.
