House of the Dragon Season 3 Preview (2026)

Flames blaze, swords clash, and dark shadows loom over Westeros: with the third season of "House of the Dragon", the Dance of the Dragons enters its next chapter. In this article, we provide you with all the known information about the upcoming season. So let the hype begin!

First Story Details: The Battle of the Gullet

It is already clear: Season 3 will not waste any time. Showrunner Ryan Condal has revealed that the legendary Battle of the Gullet will take place very shortly after the events of the second season. This battle is considered one of the most dramatic highlights from George R. R. Martin's novel "Fire & Blood". The "Gullet" refers to a strategically important stretch of water south of King's Landing. It lies between Dragonstone, Driftmark, and the peninsula known as Massey's Hook. It is here that a bitter and merciless clash between the opposing factions unfolds. According to Condal, the production team has invested a significant amount of time and money to do justice to this epic naval battle.

The Civil War Escalates: Old Powers, New Leaders

There will also be notable developments among the characters. Rhaenyra Targaryen continues to press her claim to the Iron Throne and prepares to retake King's Landing. Meanwhile, the Greens are gearing up for a counterattack. New to the show is Ormund Hightower, who will assume a central role in the coming war as the military leader of his house. Daemon Targaryen's story also remains shrouded in mystery: after securing the Riverlands, he encounters the enigmatic Alys Rivers at Harrenhal – a figure whose true intentions have so far remained hidden.

At the same time, Corlys Velaryon, the legendary "Sea Snake," moves further into the spotlight. A decisive factor in Season 3 could be how he preserves his house's legacy and what role his illegitimate sons will play. Looming over all of this, however, is the unresolved fate of Otto Hightower, who was last seen stripped of his power and imprisoned.

Familiar Stars and a Breath of Fresh Air in the Cast

Of course, the popular cast is back: Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, and Rhys Ifans are all returning. But there are also some new additions to the cast for the third season. Among them is James Norton as Ormund Hightower, while Dan Fogler and Tommy Flanagan go to war as battle-hardened Northmen. According to the creators, Flanagan's Lord Roderick Dustin, leader of the feared "Winter Wolves," could become a true fan favorite.

Behind the scenes, everything remains the same: showrunner Ryan Condal and "Game of Thrones" writer George R. R. Martin continue to run the series together. HBO also announced a fourth season, expected to premiere in 2028, which will be the series' grand finale.

Release Date and News from the "Game of Thrones" Universe

Fans had been speculating for a long time about when the new season would premiere. Now it's official: Season 3 of "House of the Dragon" is set to arrive on HBO and HBO Max in early summer 2026, possibly as early as June. But the exact date has yet to be announced.

At an HBO press conference, CEO Casey Bloys also revealed that the future of the "Game of Thrones" universe has much more in store. The new Westeros strategy includes another season of the prequel "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms". The first season premiered on January 18, while Season 2 is planned for 2027.

We can also look forward to a series about Aegon the Conqueror. It will explore how Aegon became king of Westeros and built the Iron Throne. But the project is still in its very early stages, and no casting or plot details have been disclosed yet.

In addition to the confirmed spin-offs, many other potential projects were mentioned. According to George R. R. Martin, however, it won't be possible to realize all of them. The team is constantly gathering new ideas and looking for the ones with the greatest potential.