Ryan Condal, the showrunner of House of the Dragon, has lifted the veil on the upcoming third season. Filming is set to begin in the coming weeks, meaning the premiere could happen in 2025. Viewers can expect four key battles from the Dance of Dragons, several new characters, and even an experimental episode. But will the show manage to balance spectacle with staying true to the source material?
According to Condal, four major events from the book will be featured. The Battle of the Gullet and the capture of King’s Landing are already confirmed, while two others remain up in the air. Most likely, these will be the Fishfeed and the First Battle of Tumbleton. This indicates that brutal battles, unexpected twists, and dragons in full battle readiness are on the way.
The Gullet battle is one of the most intriguing in the Dance. There is no clear winner: Rhaenyra's bastard will face off against a Tyrannosaurus-like Tiroshian, and neither will give in. If the scene is done justice, the show has a chance to surprise even the most demanding viewers. However, King’s Landing may disappoint if it turns into a political drama filled with Alicent’s betrayals.
Script and New Characters
The creators claim the script is almost ready, and this time it is said to be more substantial and deeper. This could positively impact the drama, but there’s a catch — if they focus too much on silent, sorrowful scenes with longing glances at sunsets, fans will be unhappy.
Among the new characters, Daeron Targaryen, Viserys and Alicent's younger son, is expected to make an appearance. He will play an important role in the battles, but there's a risk that he will only have a few minutes of screen time while Rhaenyra gets half a season dedicated to her. There are also rumors about the return of a character from season one, with a few possibilities: Ser Harrold Westerling (which makes sense) or Laenor Velaryon (which would completely disrupt the canon).
Condal promised that one of the episodes will be unconventional in structure and presentation. This could mean a shift in perspective, nonlinear storytelling, or even a flashback episode. The most likely scenario is a focus on Alicent’s childhood, presented through the lens of her personal struggles. However, given that only 16 episodes remain for the Dance of Dragons, focusing on secondary storylines may not be the best move. After all, the war is in full swing, and viewers are eager for more dragons and political intrigue, not philosophical musings against sunset backdrops.
What to Be Concerned About?
Fans' biggest fear is the showrunners overhauling the plot to fit their own ideas. For example, if Rhaenyra is given a sword and sent to the Gullet, it will stray too far from the book. Another concern is the show’s possible excessive focus on the characters’ personal dramas at the expense of the event’s dynamics. If half an hour is spent on silent reflections, it will slow down an already deliberate narrative.
The season finale is also in question. If they follow the canon, it should end with Rhaenyra’s catastrophic fall. But the showrunners might try to soften this moment or stretch it into the fourth season. It all depends on how far they’re willing to go and whether they’re ready to give viewers a truly harsh conclusion.
Conclusion
The third season promises to be packed with major events, but its success depends on the quality of the adaptation. If the writers focus enough on battles, politics, and dynamics, viewers could be in for one of the best seasons. The intrigue remains—let’s hope House of the Dragon doesn’t repeat the mistakes of the final seasons of Game of Thrones.
