Ewan Mitchell, the actor best known for playing Prince Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon, showed his impressive range of talent in the 2023 indie film Saltburn. The movie follows Oliver as he becomes obsessed with his rich classmate Felix and his lavish estate. Fans might have missed Mitchell in a scene-stealing (yet brief) role that is a world away from his calm and collected royal character.
The Derby native isn’t afraid to transform himself for a role. Before becoming the talk of the town for his portrayal of Prince Aemond, Mitchell was already proving his acting talent in a variety of projects. Remember Osferth from the historical drama The Last Kingdom? That was Mitchell, too! His range extends even further – he had also appeared in the World War II drama World on Fire and the crime thriller Trigger Point.
Ewan Mitchell’s Brief Role in Saltburn Explained
Ewan Mitchell, who wowed audiences as the complex Prince Aemond in House of the Dragon, has proven his acting chops in other roles as well. Mitchell took on a completely different role in the movie Saltburn, where he played a normal student with an academic personality. Check it out here:
ewan mitchell in saltburn (2023)
the film will be released in selected theaters on november 17th!!pic.twitter.com/oGnqtAkF51
— 💭 (@thinkerewan) October 19, 2023
Before Oliver (Barry Keoghan) and Felix (Jacob Elordi) become inseparable, Oliver first befriends another Oxford student, Michael Gavey. Well, he’s none other than Mitchell himself.
To be more clear, there are two parts in the movie. In the first part, the English star immerses himself in the world of academia. He portrays a genius in math, but he’s a bit of an outcast. However, he forms an unexpected bond with another outsider, Oliver. It’s freshman year, and while everyone else seems to have found their groups, these two are still searching for theirs.
Being loners, they bond over their outsider status. But Oliver gets lured away by the cool kids and ditches Michael for the more popular crowd. This leaves Mitchell’s character isolated and sets the stage for the rest of the movie, where he is no longer seen. His appearance was brief, though! But it was a complete opposite to the subtle intensity he brought to Aemond.
Ewan Mitchell’s Unique Preparation for the Saltburn Character
In an interview with Digital Spy, Ewan Mitchell opened up about the character of Michael and revealed one hidden detail about him. The actor went on to say:
I never went to drama school so every job I do is an opportunity for me to try something different.
The 27-year-old shared a unique method he used to get into character for his role. To understand his character better, Mitchell imagined him with particular interests. He even carried a hidden prop throughout filming – “a used Tesco carrier bag.”
This bag, never seen by the audience, was filled with algebra textbooks and Crunchy snack bars. Mitchell explained that even though the bag wasn’t in the movie, it helped him develop Michael’s personality. He felt this secret detail made his performance richer and more well-rounded.
Watch Saltburn on Prime Video!
Frequently asked questions
What role does Ewan Mitchell play in Saltburn?
Ewan Mitchell, best known as Prince Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon, has a brief early role in Saltburn as Michael Gavey, an awkward math genius who briefly befriends Barry Keoghan’s character, Oliver, before Oliver is drawn into the wealthier social circle led by Felix, played by Jacob Elordi. Michael disappears from the story once Oliver leaves him behind.
How did Ewan Mitchell prepare for his Saltburn character?
Mitchell told Digital Spy that he carried a used grocery bag filled with algebra textbooks and snack bars throughout filming, even though the prop was never shown on screen, because it helped him build a fuller sense of Michael’s personality. Mitchell, who never attended drama school, said he treats every role as a chance to try something different from his previous work.
What other projects has Ewan Mitchell appeared in?
Before House of the Dragon, Ewan Mitchell appeared in the historical drama The Last Kingdom as Osferth, the World War II series World on Fire, and the crime thriller Trigger Point. His brief but memorable turn in Saltburn showed a very different side of his range compared to the calm, composed Prince Aemond he plays in the HBO fantasy series.
