The Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon returned for its long-awaited sophomore season in 2024, and now the HBO hit has been renewed for a third and fourth season. Based loosely on George R.R. Martin's novel Fire & Blood from 2018, the series concerns the collapse of the House Targaryen as the clan devolves into a massive civil war. Set two centuries before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon explores the events that would shape the Seven Kingdoms many years later.

Unsurprisingly, the debut season of House of the Dragon was a watershed moment for HBO with critics and viewers, especially after the disappointing finale of Game of Thrones in 2019. However, despite the prequel series' initial success, the network struggled to bring fans back to Westeros quickly enough, and House of the Dragon season 2 was mired in delays that stretched on for nearly two years. Despite that, the popularity of Martin's epic fantasy universe hasn't dulled, and HBO was quick to pick up House of the Dragon for a third season, which left the show's future in little doubt.

House Of The Dragon Season 3 Latest News

More New Cast Season 3's Ensemble

As the third season continues to take shape, the latest news confirms that more new cast have ed House of the Dragon season 3. Andor star Joplin Sibtain has been tapped to play the role of Ser "Bold" Jon Roxton, the head of the Roxton family who allies with the Greens. Meanwhile, Tom Cullen (Downton Abbey) is set to play Ser Luthor Largent, and Barry Sloane (Sandman) will appear as Ser Adrian Redfort. Ser Luthor Largent is a knight of the City Watch, and Ser Adrian Redfort is a member of the Queensguard.

House Of The Dragon Season 3 & 4 Is Confirmed

HBO Renewed Before Season 2's Debut, But The End Is Also Clear

The rapidity with which HBO renewed House of the Dragon for its third season is a testament to the brand's confidence in the Game of Thrones franchise. Coming nearly a full week before season 2's debut, HBO's renewal is a vote of confidence in a sea of uncertainty regarding the George R.R. Martin epic fantasy series as a whole. Despite Game of Thrones spinoffs dropping like proverbial flies, House of the Dragon is a surefire hit that could indicate the direction of the franchise's future.

House of the Dragon season 2 concluded on August 4, 2024.

However, it's not just season 3 that has been confirmed. The show has now been renewed for a fourth season, which has also been confirmed as the final season of the show. While it's not a huge surprise that the show would be renewed, it may be surprising to some that the show will end after only 4 seasons in total - especially given the depth of the source material in Fire and Blood, and the length of Game of Thrones. However, George R R Martin has said that they would need "four full seasons of 10 episodes each to do justice." on his blog, when referencing the Dance of Dragons, so it seems that he is getting his wish.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Production Status

Production Started In March 2025

In a press conference in August 2024, showrunner and co-creator Ryan Condal commented on the expected production schedule for the season (via Variety). Condal confirmed that the show was in the process of being written, and would go into production "earlyish 2025". However, he did warn fans not to expect the new season to hit screens too quickly:

I know everybody wants this to come out every summer. It’s just that the show is so complex that we’re really making multiple feature films every season. So I apologize for the wait.

It's not surprising that production takes a while, given the impressive number of scenes involving dragons, so it's unlikely that House of the Dragon season 3 will be available to watch until 2026 at the earliest. The first season aired in August 2022, and the second in June 2024, so it's very likely that season three will have a release date around summer 2026. Since then, it was announced that filming began in March 2025.

House Of The Dragon Season 3 Cast

Who Will Survive The Dance Of The Dragons?

Though House of the Dragon and its predecessor are known for their wanton bloodshed, the main core of important characters survived the first act of the so-called "Dance of the Dragons". This means the bulk of the ensemble is expected to return in season 3, including Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Tom Glynn-Carney as her estranged brother, Aegon. Other major figures like Matt Smith's Daemon and Olivia Cooke's Alicent Hightower will also be back.

The cast of season 3 has already begun to grow, and James Norton (Grantchester) has been tapped to play the role of Ormund Hightower. The head of the powerful clan, Ormund is a key figure in the Dance of the Dragons. More important figures were added with the addition of Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy) as Ser Roderick Dustin and Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts) as Ser Torrhen Manderly. Flanagan's Ser Dustin is a fierce warrior and head of the Dustin house, while Ser Manderly is an articulate and intelligent knight from the North. Both will side with the Blacks in season 3.

More newcomers ed the cast with Andor alum Joplin Sibtain as Ser "Bold" John Roxton, the head of the Roxton family who aligns himself with the Greens. Furthermore, Tom Cullen (Downton Abbey) will play the role of City Watch knight Ser Luthor Largent, and Sandman star Barry Sloane is Queensguard knight Ser Adrian Redfort. Ser Luthor's allegiances are a bit more nebulous, but Ser Adrian is a staunch er of the Blacks in the book.

The presumptive cast of House of the Dragon season 3 includes:

House Of The Dragon Season 3 Story Details

The Dance Has Only Just Begun

Though the so-called "Dance of the Dragons" began in earnest during season 2, it's clear that it has only just begun. A series of ups and downs plagued both the Greens and Blacks in the season 2 finale, and in typical George R.R. Martin fashion, more twists are expected. Rhaenyra suffered heavy losses in the first engagement, but the return of Daemon (and his army) gives her a bit more firepower.

the details of what will happen next are laid out in detail in the book, and there are some major battles to look forward to, including the Battle of the Gullet

Of course, the details of what will happen next are laid out in detail in the book, and there are some major battles to look forward to, including the Battle of the Gullet. One of the biggest questions is going to be how seasons 3 and 4 will split the remaining Dance, and which point the show will cut the story off - especially as Fire And Blood continues Targaryen history well beyond it. However it ends, this will not be the end for Westeros - as another spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is also in production, and promises to continue the story of Westerosi history.