Season 2 of House of the Dragon brought the battles to the skies, eliminating several major players from the story and escalating tensions between the Greens and Blacks beyond repair.
Nonetheless, the war has only just begun. Daemon’s vision in Harrenhal revealed that plenty more bloody battles await us, as fans of the original Fire and Blood book will know. But when will we get to return to Westeros and the Targaryen civil war?
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about House of the Dragon season 3, and the future of the show.
If you want to recall who’s who in the series, look at our guide on the most important characters in House of the Dragon.
For fans of the fantasy genre, we also have a similar roundup for The Witcher on Netflix. Alternatively, here’s all the information you need if you want to re-watch Game of Thrones in its entirety.
Spoilers for season 2 of House of the Dragon below.
HBO
When could House of the Dragon season 3 be released?
During MegaCon in Orlando, Florida, Matt Smith, who stars as Daemon, and Fabien Frankel, who portrays Criston Cole, revealed that filming for season 3 is in full swing. The actors have already received scripts for episodes 4-6 of the series.
House of the Dragon season 3 doesn’t yet have a confirmed release date from HBO, but we can estimate when it might arrive based on previous instalments.
There were two years between seasons 1 and 2, and the show was not affected by the strikes in Hollywood as most filming was in the UK. Therefore, we estimate that House of the Dragon will return in mid 2026.
Production on season 2 started in spring 2023, with the show returning the following summer – further supporting our 2026 release prediction.
House of the Dragon season 3 cast and crew: Who is returning?
HBO has not confirmed a cast list, but based on the last season these are the characters we expect to see back:
- Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower
- Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen
- Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower
- Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon
- Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole
- Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon
- Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon Targaryen
- Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen
- Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen
- Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen
- Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen
- Matthew Needham as Larys Strong
- Jefferson Hall as Jason Lannister and Tyland Lannister
- Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
- Simon Russell Beale as Simon Strong
- Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower
- Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers
- Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull
- Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull
- Tom Taylor as Cregan Stark
- Amanda Collin as Jeyne Arryn
- Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer
- Tom Bennett as Ulf White
- Kurt Egyiawan as Grand Maester Orwyle
- Oscar Eskinazi as Joffrey Velaryon
- Jamie Kenna as Alfred Broome
- Vincent Regan as Rickard Thorne
- Abigail Thorne as Sharako Lohar
It is unlikely that we will see Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) again, as she met her demise in season 2, episode four to the hands of Vhagar and Aemond.
James Norton has joined the series cast as lord Ormund Hightower, the nephew of Ser Otto Hightower.
Many expected that we’d see the debut of Nettles, a character from the books who is the rider of the dragon Sheepstealer and the lover of Daemon Targaryen. However, her storyline appears to have been adapted for Rhaena Targaryen, instead.
Ryan Condal, the co-runner for the first season and showrunner for the second season, will return for season 3. We also suspect that the creator of the book series, George RR Martin, will return as an executive producer.
What could the plot of House of the Dragon season 3 be?
The third season will likely picked off as the Targaryen civil war begins to escalate, also known as the Dance of the Dragons. Westeros is split by the two claims to the throne: one from King Aegon II Targaryen, who took the throne after his mother Alicent mistakenly heard her late husband say that he wanted his son to become heir.
The second is from Queen Rhaenyra I Targaryen – the original choice of Viserys as his first-born daughter. She believes that the Hightowers stole the throne whilst she was away at Dragonstone, and as such claims that Aegon’s coronation is considered treachery.
The final episode showed both sides gearing up for battle. Daemon had readied his army and allies at Harrenhal, while Rhaenyra had gained three new dragon riders in Addam, Hugh and Ulf. The Seasnake was poised to take his naval army to the seas with his bastard son, Alyn. Rhaena also appeared to meet the dragon Sheepstealer, who she may end up claiming if she follows the plot of Nettles from the books.
Ollie Upton/HBO
The Greens appeared to be in a much weaker state. Having learned of the new dragons, Aemond burned the town of Sharp Point down in a rage on Vhagar, and caused unrest in King’s Landing by leading the civilians to starvation.
The King, Aegon, fled King’s Landing with Larys Strong towards Essos. This was mainly due to Aemond burning him earlier in the season, leaving him crippled and disfigured, unable to properly perform his duties as a leader.
Meanwhile, Alicent tried to agree a peaceful resolution with Rhaenyra, offering to open the gates of the Red Keep to her while Aemond is distracted in battle. Meanwhile, her father Otto Hightower is shown to be captured, but we don’t know where yet.
The only source of strength came from Tyland Lannister and Sharako Lohar, who appeared to have a fierce army at sea. We also don’t know if Rhaenyra will take up Alicent’s offer or go to war regardless – we’d wager a bet on the latter.
Going into the second stage of the war, the Blacks certainly appear to be the stronger side – but this is the Game of Thrones universe, after all. Anything can happen. Plus, Daemon’s vision at the Godswood reveals that the Battle Above the Gods Eye will be happening – but this could be reserved for season 4.
HBO
How many episodes will there be in House of the Dragon season 3?
If season 3 follows the same pattern as the last instalment, there should be around eight episodes in total.
Condal told Variety the following “I haven’t had discussions with HBO about it. I would just anticipate the cadence of the show, from a dramatic storytelling perspective, will continue to be the same from season 2 on.”
Will there be more than three seasons of House of the Dragon?
Variety revealed that George RR Martin has signed a five-year deal to create content with HBO and Max in 2021, so 2026 would take them up to that time.
Since then, the same publication confirmed that the show will end with season 4.
George R.R. Martin revealed on his blog that the story of the Targaryen-Hightower war should consist of 4 seasons, and it seems that HBO agrees with his sentiment.
HBO
How can I watch House of the Dragon?
In the US, you can watch House of the Dragon on HBO if it’s included in your cable package. Alternatively, you can stream it on Max – accounts start from £9.99 per month for ad-supported viewing.
As with Game of Thrones, UK viewers will get access via Sky Atlantic for Sky TV customers, and via the flexible streaming service Now – which has packages starting from £9.99 per month for its Entertainment Membership.
If for some reason you can’t access either of these channels, here’s how to watch HBO outside of the US.
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