Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, “The Burning Mill.”

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, “The Burning Mill,” introduces Davos Blackwood, but it leaves a big question mark over another member of the family, Benjicot. The Blackwoods and the Brackens have long feuded, going back thousands of years, and it’s now making its impact on House of the Dragon season 2.

A disagreement over markstones leads into the two sides revealing who they’ve declared for in the Dance of the Dragons – the Blackwoods supporting Rhaenyra Targaryen, the Brackens Aegon II Targaryen. Eventually, that leads into the Battle of the Burning Mill, with heavy losses on both sides, though the action happens off-screen. Davos seemingly dies in the battle, but what does his appearance mean for the show?

House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 3 Introduced Davos Blackwood Instead Of Benjicot Blackwood

Davos Blackwood Doesnt Exist In Fire & Blood

Leading up to House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, there had been speculation on social media that Benjicot Blackwood would be appearing. It was clear the feud between the houses was going to be a factor in some way, but the appearance of actor Kieran Burton suggested we might see Benjicot. He certainly looked the part (based on art from George R.R. Martin’s companion book The Rise of the Dragons), and the actor himself teased it when quoting a question about him being Benjicot on Instagram stories [via Collider]. However, subtitles revealed his name is actually Davos.

There is no Davos Blackwood in Fire & Blood, so the character is a show creation. Benjicot, meanwhile, is the son of Lord Samwell Blackwood. In the book, Samwell was slain at the Battle of the Burning Mill, though doesn’t appear to be present in the show’s version. Benjicot becomes Lord of House Bracken after his father’s death, and goes on to be a key part of the Blacks’ campaign in the Riverlands, fighting in (and winning) multiple significant battles, and becoming known as Bloody Ben for his fierce nature in the conflicts despite his young age.

Benjicot Blackwood Can Still Appear In House Of The Dragon

Season 3 Could Introduce The Character, But The Great Casting Likely Won’t Be Kept

Although the use of Davos Blackwood instead of Benjicot causes some concerns that the character has been replaced, there’s a good chance that isn’t the case. Davos is seemingly killed in the Battle of the Burning Mill, but could quite easily be revealed to have been an older brother of Benjicot. In the book, Ben was only 11-years-old when the fight happened, and he took over House Blackwood and started fighting in the war after that point. This could well mean it’s setting up his introduction, likely in House of the Dragon season 3.

It is a shame that Burton presumably won’t get to play Benjicot, unless they do make the decision to bring him back and just say he’s a different character (which wouldn’t be the worst decision, despite some potential confusion). Even with a different actor, Ben aging up a few years wouldn’t be a surprise, since the show may not want an 11-year-old fighting in multiple battles. However they do it, there’s reason to be hopeful Bloody Ben will still appear in House of the Dragon, even if it wasn’t the introduction that had been hoped for in this episode.

New episodes of House of the Dragon release Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO and Max.