House of the Dragon Season 3: Release Date, Cast, Book Plot, Trailers And News

28 August 2024, 15:15

By Sam Prance

Will there be a House of the Dragon season 3? Here's everything we know about the third season of the HBO drama and when the show will end.

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House of the Dragon season 2 may be over but is it coming back? HBO have now revealed when the beloved show will end.

House of the Dragon season 2 started with a bang. Following Aemond's murder of Lucerys in the season 1 finale, Daemon inadvertently had Aegon's son Jaehaerys beheaded and it was non-stop drama ever since. Not only was Rhaenys killed in an epic battle acene (RIP to a bad b---h) but Rhaenyra and Alicent also confronted each other in person multiple times.

Now, fans are desperate to know what happens next following the season 2 finale. With that in mind, here's what's been revealed so far including the release date, cast information, book plot and news about what's to come.

Read more: House of the Dragon Review Bombed By Homophobic Fans Over Rhaenyra And Mysaria Kiss

When does House of the Dragon season 3 come out?

Emma D'Arcy & Olivia Cooke Talk Love Scenes And Fan Edit Song Requests | House Of The Dragon

Has House of the Dragon been renewed for season 3?

Yes! Ahead of the release of House of the Dragon season 2, HBO confirmed that the show would be coming back for more. In a statement, HBO’s executive vice president of programming Francesca Orsi explained: "George, Ryan, and the rest of our incredible executive producers, cast, and crew, have reached new heights with the phenomenal second season."

She continued: "We are in awe of the dragon-sized effort the entire team has put into the creation of a spectacular season two, with a scope and scale that is only rivaled by its heart. We could not be more thrilled to continue the story of House Targaryen and watch this team burn bright again for season three."

When is the House of the Dragon season 3 release date?

For the time being, HBO have remained tight-lipped about a season 3 release date. However, given that production isn't set to start until early 2025, it seems likely that we will have to wait until 2026 for more Targaryen antics. For context, season 1 premiered in summer 2022 and season 2 came out two years later, so a two year gap seems likely.

As for how many episodes there will be, showrunner Ryan Condal has suggested that there will be eight episodes just like season 2. He told Variety: "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.”

And if you need a Westeros fix sooner, another spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is coming to HBO in 2025.

When will House of the Dragon end?

Following the release of the House of the Dragon season 2 finale, HBO have confirmed to Variety that the show is getting a fourth and final season. Taking this into consideration, it seems likely that the entire story from the books will be told.

When does House of the Dragon season 3 come out? Picture: Alamy

Who will be in the House of the Dragon season 3 cast?

Based on the plot of the House of the Dragon books, it seems likely that most of the main cast will return. With that in mind, expect to see:

Emma D'Arcy - Rhaenyra Targaryen
Olivia Cooke - Alicent Hightower
Matt Smith - Daemon Targaryen
Steve Toussaint - Corlys Velaryon
Fabien Frankel - Ser Criston Cole
Tom Clynn-Carney - Aegon Targaryen
Phia Saban - Helaena Targaryen
Ewan Mitchell - Aemond Targaryen
Harry Collett - Jacaerys Velaryon
Bethany Antonia - Baela Targaryen
Phoebe Campbell - Rhaena Targaryen
Sonoya Mizuno - Mysaria
Matthew Needham - Lord Larys Strong
Kurt Egyiawan - Grand Maester Orwyle
Kieran Bew - Hugh Hammer
Abubakar Salim - Alyn of Hull
Clinton Liberty - Addam of Hull
Tom Taylor - Lord Cregan Stark
Tom Bennett - Ulf White
Ellora Torchia - Kat
Freddie Fox - Ser Gwayne Hightower
Gayle Rankin - Alys Rivers
Simon Russell Beale - Ser Simon Strong

With Rhaenys Targaryen now dead, it unfortunately seems like Eve Best won't return. However, Eve has said that she would be down for appearing as a ghost or a vision similar to Millie Alcock as young Rhaenyra. Speaking to Variety, she said: "I think she should haunt [Corlys] like crazy. She should pop up everywhere he goes...We’ll see. Who knows?"

Elsewhere, Rhys Ifans will be back back as Otto Hightower as we now know that he's been imprisoned. We'll also meet Viserys and Alicent's son Prince Daeron properly for the first time but he is yet to be cast.

House of the Dragon season 3 book plot: What happens?

Based on the books, season 3 looks set to pick up right where season 2 leaves off with the Battle of the Gullet. This is one of the bloodiest sea battles in the history of Westeros. The battle results in huge losses for both sides including one major death. We will avoid spoilers here but it sets up the events of the rest of the season.

For anyone worried that House of the Dragon hasn't been as gruesome as Game of Thrones, season 3 looks set to be the deadliest season of House of the Dragon yet and no main character is safe.