'House of the Dragon' Season 3 trailer hints at brutal war as cast promises 'bloodier' battles
The cast of 'House of the Dragon' attended CCXP Mexico and unveiled the highly anticipated trailer of Season 3. Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, and Fabien Frankel took the stage to interact with fans as part of the panel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal appeared virtually to introduce the new trailer. “I’m very sad to not be joining you all there, but I’m back here in the U.K., putting the finishing touches on post-production in Season 3,” Condal shared. “This is a huge season. It’s the biggest we’ve made by any margin and by a wide measure. It is dark. It’s funny. It’s action-packed. It’s emotional. And, of course, it has lots and lots of dragons. This season demanded the very best of everybody that collaborated to make it together, and I can’t wait for the world to experience it.”
As per Collider, the trailer primarily focuses on two major conflicts: the 'Battle of the Gullet' and another large-scale battle. James Norton as Ormund Hightower gives a fiery speech regarding Rhaenyra's illegitimacy. Elsewhere, his nephew Aegon is seen vowing revenge on Aemond, who has now taken up the role of King after almost killing his brother. Several chaotic scenes from the upcoming season dominate the trailer. Corlys Velaryon delivers an ominous declaration in the video that sets the tone of the season. “All that remains is for you to decide what you want from this war,” Corlys says.
The trailer will be shared with the wider public on April 27, 2026, according to The Hollywood Reporter. During the recent event, the actors on stage shared their take on the upcoming season and their characters. Matt Smith, who plays Daemon Targaryen, said that the third season will have a "lot of battles." Season 3 will also feature several dragons, especially his character's loyal ally Caraxes, hinting that the pair will soar together in many wars. “This season, we’re trying to make it bigger, bolder, bloodier, more brutal, more dangerous — just get back to the nuts and bolts of what we are as a show,” he added. The 'Doctor Who' alum further stated that he loves how Daemon dances to his own tune. “What I admire about Daemon is, he just doesn’t give a f**k: 'I’ll do what I want, how I want, when I want,'” Smith said. “There’s something amazing about that.”
Cooke, who portrays Alicent Hightower in the 'Game of Thrones' prequel series, shared her take on the heavily discussed dynamic with Rhaenyra Targaryen, as per The Hollywood Reporter. “To hate someone, there has to be a passion that you have to set fire to,” Cooke noted. “And I think there was a great love there once upon a time. I don’t know where she sort of stands in Alicent’s heart anymore.” Frankel stated that his character, Ser Criston Cole, will not be fighting for any side in the show; instead, his main motive will be to "survive." In the trailer, he is seen saying, “Doom and ruin surround us.” This is not surprising as the Lord Commander ended the season fearing that Rhaenyra's dragons were driving them towards annihilation. The series also stars Emma D’Arcy, Rhys Ifans, and Steve Toussaint. The third season is expected to air on HBO sometime in June 2026.
