‘House of the Dragon’ Gets Season 3 Trailer and Release Date on HBO

HBO has revealed the teaser trailer (watch above) and the premiere date for the third season of the Game of Thrones prequel series. HBO confirmed that ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 will return this summer in the month of June. The third season is likely to be released on June 14, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max worldwide. Like previous seasons and Game of Thrones, the episodes will be released weekly every Sunday.

The House of the Dragon Season 3 teaser trailer features returning characters like Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), and Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), alongside familiar dragons such as Vhagar, Syrax, Caraxes, Moondancer, and Vermax. It also introduces a few new elements, including glimpses of previously unseen dragons, such as Tessarion (the Blue Queen, associated with the unseen Daeron Targaryen).  It picks up directly from the Season 2 finale, emphasizing the Targaryen conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons, with a focus on the impending Battle of the Gullet—a massive naval confrontation involving dragons, ships, and ground forces. The trailer teases sweeping conflicts across land, sea, and air.

The trailer opens with a hooded figure (Alicent Hightower) walking through a misty, ancient landscape at dusk, surrounded by ruins and distant figures. It cuts to a massive dragon (likely Vermithor or another) soaring through foggy skies, casting shadows over a battlefield. Quick shots show crowds gathering in dimly lit halls and outdoor assemblies, evoking a sense of impending doom. A voiceover by Rhaenyra Targaryen narrates: "Where were you?" followed by "Alicent came to Dragonstone." This references Alicent's secret visit in the Season 2 finale, where she proposed surrendering King's Landing. Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) appears in a dimly lit chamber at Harrenhal, looking contemplative. Shots include armored soldiers marching and a dragon perched on a cliffside.

A forested scene shows Cregan Stark in discussion, then cuts to a dragon statue in a misty field, then an army led by Criston Cole raising a sword. Rhaenyra is shown riding Syrax through cloudy skies. "The king has abdicated the throne. A new dawn is coming... of a new line of unsullied kings." (Note: "Unsullied" may reference purity or Daenerys' army from Game of Thrones, but context suggests "unsoiled" or unsteady rulers in the Targaryen line.)

At the end, Battle scenes show soldiers clashing on mountainous terrain, with dragons diving into combat. Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) is depicted mounted on Vermax, flying over a stormy sea. Ground battles with soldiers being burned alive by dragonfire; cliffsides where fighters climb or fall. Caraxes breathes fire on enemies. The teaser ends with sweeping shots of burning fleets and dragon fights.

The third season introduces some new faces, including Tommy Flanagan as Lord Roderick Dustin and Dan Fogler as Ser Torrhen Manderly. Previously announced new season three cast includes James Norton as Ormund Hightower. The all will join the returning cast of Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, and Abubakar Salim.

The 8-episode Season 3 is directed by Clare Kilner, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Andrij Parekh, and Loni Peristere, each directing two episodes. Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ryan Condal; Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Executive Producers Sara Hess, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Vince Gerardis, David Hancock, Philippa Goslett.

Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen as they battle a family feud to grab the throne from one another.