House of the Dragon Season 3 Just Killed Three Major Characters — And the Targaryen War Is Only Getting Bloodier

After a two-year wait, House of the Dragon returned on June 21, 2026, and the Season 3 premiere didn't waste any time reminding viewers that nobody is safe in Westeros. Three major characters bit the dust in Episode 1 alone — and Episode 2 just set an IMDB record for audience reviews.

The Battle of the Gullet Changes Everything

The premiere opened with the Battle of the Gullet, one of the most anticipated set pieces from George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood. Lord Roderick Dustin (played by Tommy Flanagan) made his debut — and his exit in the same episode. Jace Targaryen's death, teased at the end of Season 2, was confirmed in brutal fashion. And Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) continued his descent into moral ambiguity.

By Episode 2, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) has seized the Iron Throne, executing prisoners with her own hands — a moment so visceral it's already become the most-discussed scene of the year. Otto Hightower's protests fell on deaf ears as Rhaenyra took the throne in a sequence that required two strokes of the executioner's sword.

Record-Breaking Returns

HBO clearly made the right call giving the show a proper production window. Episode 2 has already earned the highest IMDB audience review score of the series, with fans praising the pacing, the performances, and the increasingly Shakespearean stakes. Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower) and Emma D'Arcy are delivering career-best work.

The season is airing weekly on HBO and HBO Max, with the full episode schedule running through August. New episodes drop every Sunday at 9 PM ET.

What's Next for the Dance of the Dragons?

If the source material is anything to go by, the bloodshed is only beginning. The Targaryen civil war — known as the Dance of the Dragons — has its darkest chapters still ahead. Expect more dragon battles, more betrayals, and at least one death that will break the internet.

If you dropped off during Season 2's slower episodes, now is the time to come back. House of the Dragon Season 3 is the show at its absolute best.