When the second season of House of the Dragon dropped on TV, we were immersed in the twisted and chaotic world of the Targaryen family faster than Meleys can take flight. But will there be more episodes of the Game of Thrones spin-off? Here's what we know so far about the future of the show and if there's going to be a season three of House of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon season 3 cast
House of the Dragon would be nothing without the Targaryens, so we fully expect to see the majority of the season two cast back in action for the third season:
- Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen
- Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower
- Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole
- Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, The Sea Snake
- Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen
- Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen
- Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower
- Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon
- Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen
- Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen
- Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen
- Jefferson Hall as Jason Lannister
Season three will also see James Norton from Playing Nice and Happy Valley join the cast as Alicent Hightower’s cousin, Ormund Hightower, according to Variety. As was teased during season two of the show, Ormund is the Lord of Oldtown, who is assembling an army to confront Rhaenyra, while on a march accompanied by Daeron Targaryen’s new dragon, Tessarion.
As fans of the show will know, season two saw the death of Rhaenys Targaryen (played by Eve Best) and Prince Jaehaerys.
When was House of the Dragon season 3 confirmed?
Before House of the Dragon season two even landed on screen, the third season of the show was officially confirmed. In a press release posted on the 14th June 2024, HBO shared that we would definitely be getting a third season of House of the Dragon, with Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films sharing a statement to praise showrunner Ryan Condal and writer George R.R. Martin:
"George, Ryan, and the rest of our incredible executive producers, cast, and crew, have reached new heights with the phenomenal second season of House of the Dragon. 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."
Previously Ryan told Entertainment Weekly that they are "deep in writing" the next season, while adding that he wants to leave the show on a satisfying end. "You certainly don't want to rush to get to an end, but you also don't want to overstay your welcome. You want to find this very satisfying place to go out that ties up enough loose ends and leaves others intentionally open because, as we know, this history marches on for another 150 years to Daenerys."
And main cast member Olivia Cooke (who plays Alicent) also gave a small hint about potential future series. When speaking to EW about how tired she was having filmed the entirety of season two (in comparison series one, where she was only in half of the show), she then spoke about the energy she'd need for a third season.
"Oh my God, by the end of season two, I was a f**kng shell of myself. I was a husk. I could not form a sentence. I was so tired," she said. "I need to implement some way of getting through season three, if there's a season three, to really harness as much energy as possible. It is a behemoth."
Your 101 on House of the Dragon season 2
How old are the characters meant to be?
Unpacking the complicated family trees
Olivia Cooke opens up about sex scenes
When could a third season begin filming?
Following the release of series one, which saw the final episode released in October 2022, filming for the next season then began around six months later in April 2023, and wrapped in September 2023. It then went into post-production and was released in June 2024.
Given this pattern we'd then expect a third season to begin filming in early 2025, to be released in mid-2026, but this could all of course change.
