A new season of House of the Dragon has finally arrived, and viewers can once again look forward to heading to Westeros on Sunday nights for the next several weeks ahead. Season 3 promises to start with a bang, and with the show building towards its final season, we know that there will be some brutal exits ahead this season.
Barring some major changes to the source material, season 3 will bring about the departures of many main and supporting characters. It will also introduce some key figures who will play pivotal roles in both season 3 and in the show’s fourth and final season.
While season 3 is expected to claim even more lives and bring about multiple cast departures, Westeros has already suffered its fair share of losses. Season 2 brought about the end of several characters’ time on the show, and we also saw a quiet recasting of an original character. As we enter the third season, here are six key characters who won't be back for House of the Dragon season 3 and the one character who will be back but with a new actor taking over the role.
Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys
Let’s start with a power duo who will not be back for season 3: Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon Meleys. The duo perished early in season 2 during the Battle of Rook’s Rest with Rhaenys and Meleys riding into battle for Queen Rhaenyra to battle Criston Cole and his army. Unfortunately, Rhaenys and Meleys were no match for Aemond and Vhagar, who killed the pair with a surprise attack.
Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk Cargyll
From one power duo to the next, fans also won’t be seeing twin Kingsguard knights Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk Cargyll back for season 3. The brothers perished in the second episode of season 2 in a heartbreaking fashion that began when the pair pledged allegiance to opposing Targaryen factions, with Arryk pledging his allegiance to Aegon and Erryk pledging his allegiance to Rhaenyra.
In episode 2, Criston Cole forced Arryk to impersonate his brother to infiltrate Dragonstone in an attempt to kill Rhaenyra. Unfortunately, the plan did not work out with Erryk stopping his brother by killing him before taking his own life.
Jaehaerys Targaryen
Noticing a trend here? Season 2 features quite a few deaths of named characters, including young Jaehaerys Targaryen. Jaehaerys was killed by Blood and Cheese at the order of Daemon following the death of Lucerys Velaryon at the hand of Aemond.
King Viserys Targaryen
King Viserys perished in the first season of House of the Dragon, and we thought that was the last we’d see of Paddy Considine in the role. Much to our surprise, though, the writers found a way to bring him back for not one but two episodes in season 2, which was a fun surprise and great way to get Considine back for a few more scenes. Sadly, all signs point towards King Viserys finally being left in the past with no reported appearances from Considine planned for season 3.
Jaehaera Targaryen
This last entry on our list is the most complicated of the bunch. Technically speaking, fans will get to see Jaehaera Targaryen in season 3; however, it will not be the same actress playing the character this season. After playing the character in the first two seasons, HBO quietly recast Lulu Baker, with Aegon and Helaena’s daughter set to be played by Pearl Clark beginning in season 3. This move seems to be connected to a desire to age the character up on the show, resulting in the recasting of the character and the unexpected exit of Baker.
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