House of the Dragon season 3 delivered the most action-packed episodes yet, with some stellar performances that added to the spectacle. As the Targaryen civil war raged on, the Game of Thrones spinoff continued to challenge audiences' loyalties with a mix of flawed heroes, sympathetic villains, and plenty of figures in between.
The House of the Dragon cast has always elevated the series with stunning performances The third installment saw some terrific new additions while also allowing some of the veteran cast members to reach new heights. Even with so many great performances in House of the Dragon season 3, some stood out among the best.
10. Tom Bennett as Ulf
House of the Dragon deals with misguided ambition, and Ulf made for a fascinating reimagining of a rags-to-riches story. Actor Tom Bennett struck a wonderful chord by presenting Ulf as a comedic relief character while also hinting at something deeper. He was intoxicated with his sudden position of power, only to be disappointed to find he received less love and respect than when he was in Flea Bottom.
In the hands of a lesser actor, Ulf’s eventual treachery would have been lost in such a laughable character. Bennett sold the frustration of Ulf’s actions while also hinting that he knows he’s in way over his head.
9. James Norton as Ormund Hightower
James Norton’s Ormund Hightower was one of the new cast members in House of the Dragon season 3 and quickly stood out as a great new addition. Ormund was presented as a conniving military leader who was convinced he was destined to be a deciding force in the war. And in many ways, he was right.
Norton was hugely entertaining in playing Ormund’s arrogance while also showing how easily he was flummoxed when his plans didn’t quite work out. He made for a unique and thrilling villain, making his death at the end of season 3 a bit of a disappointment.
8. Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon
Steve Toussaint has quietly been one of House of the Dragon's most consistently excellent performers since the beginning, and season 3 gives Corlys some of his best moments yet. Kicking off the season with an epic battle that pits him right at the center really allowed Toussaint to shine, and that was just the beginning.
Seeing him attempting to make amends for his personal failures of the past while also bitterly feuding with the queen he has served so well continued to show him as one of the most richly layered characters. He is also one of the closest things the show has to a hero, making the audience really root for him to find some level of satisfaction amid the chaos.
7. Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen
There are very few innocent characters in House of the Dragon, but Helaena Targaryen stands out as perhaps the most heartbreaking. Even before the war, it felt like she was cursed to be born into a royal family in which she never felt like she belonged and never wanted to be a part of. Phia Saban nailed that glazed existence throughout the series, and it never felt as powerful as it did in season 3.
It is a tricky performance to pull off, as some could claim Saban didn’t do much. However, she perfectly displayed the waking dream Helaena lived in, as she was constantly told what to do. What made it even more impactful is that Helaena seemed to be the only one who knew the entire thing is destined to end in tragedy.
6. Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower
Since the first season of the show, Olivia Cooke has been a massive highlight as Alicent Hightower. A complicated character whose motivations have greatly changed over time, Cooke has always managed to make her a deeply sympathetic character. This has become even truer as the war rages on.
Season 3 did not offer the most compelling storyline for Alicent, but Cooke was still able to elevate it. She heartbreakingly played the desperation Alicent had to end the war she played a part in starting. Having her once again share scenes with Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra Targaryen also reminded us that these two characters are electric on screen together.
5. Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen
Ewan Mitchell emerged as House of the Dragon’s most reliable villain in season 2, only for season 3 to put his Aemond Targaryen on a very unexpected path. After being a force of nature in the war, he was taken out of the fight, where he had time to reflect on his actions.
After presenting him as such a subject of fear, Mitchell was able to switch to a vulnerable look at Aemond, showing he is capable of guilt and insecurity. However, he never lost that dangerous edge, with Mitchell’s physicality hinting at a predator ready to strike.
4. Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole
Criston Cole has been one of the easiest characters to hate in House of the Dragon, with Fabien Frankel completely committing to the character’s many flaws. However, season 3 also developed the character in some very interesting and unexpected ways. It managed to strengthen Cole as a character without trying to convince the audience he should be forgiven.
Cole’s confession about his final days gave Frankel his best moment in the series. He sold the sadness of showing a man who has accepted his fate and had hopes for how he would be remembered. However, his death solidified that his self-righteousness was misplaced.
3. Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen
One of the most entertaining parts of House of the Dragon has been Matt Smith’s portrayal of Daemon Targaryen. While it is tempting to call him an anti-hero, Smith’s bold exploration of the character is far more complex than that. He can make the audience cheer for this swaggering warrior at one moment, only to make them feel guilty about it in the next scene.
Smith is fearless in how he plays Daemon, refusing to allow him to be categorized so easily. Season 3 saw him frustrated and beaten at times while always carrying himself as this loose cannon who could be the ruin of House Targaryen anytime he is in a bad mood. As a result, the show comes alive whenever he’s on screen.
2. Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen
Emma D'Arcy has had one of the most difficult roles in House of the Dragon, playing through the many ups and downs of Rhaenyra’s reign. The strength and passion she brought to the role in the early seasons were essential for building Rhaenyra into a character fans wanted to see sit the Iron Throne. However, once she achieved that, D’Arcy was ready to explore the darker side of the character.
D'Arcy was endlessly compelling as they showed the overwhelming anxiety and frustration Rhaenyra had as the new ruler of Westeros. It is as if Rhaenyra was holding her breath until she sat on the throne, only to realize she still cannot exhale. As Rhaenyra continued to compromise her values in order to stay in control, D’Arcy showed the conflict, not allowing her to become a sudden villain, but showing a subtle shift in her mind.
1. Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen
Tom Glynn-Carney’s Aegon II Targaryen initially seemed like he was set to become House of the Dragon’s version of Joffrey. He played the arrogance and entitlement of the self-involved young king. However, Glynn-Carney has also excelled at showing what Joffrey never experienced: being humbled.
Season 3 of House of the Dragon explored Aegon’s fall from grace, with Glynn-Carney brilliantly balancing the shame the former king felt with the stubborn refusal to give up his status. As the end of the season began to explore the idea that Aegon understood how terrible he was as king, Glynn-Carney got the standout moment with his speech that proved he was never going to give up the throne lightly.
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