House of the Dragon will be returning soon, and fans can expect a high body count in season 3.
The highly anticipated third installment is set to be in full-blown war mode, with the Targaryen civil war at its peak. With news that the fourth season will be the final one, it is also clear that there will multiple characters who are going to die before the end.
With House of the Dragon being based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood, the history of his conflict in Westeros hints at how things will play out onscreen. While the show has made certain deviations of its own, there are several big characters who we expect will be dead by the end of House of the Dragon season 3.
WARNING: Major Fire & Blood spoilers are below.
Jacaerys Velaryon
Rhaenyra Targaryen has already lost so much in this war, but unfortunately, House of the Dragon season 3 will add to her heartbreak. This season will likely see Rhaenyra’s oldest son and her heir, Jacaerys Targaryen, killed in the war. Unlike most big deaths on Game of Thrones that come late in the season, this devastating blow will be struck early on.
The last season of House of the Dragon set the stage for the massive sea battle that would become known as the Battle of the Gullet. The show will see Coryls Velaryon taking on Tyland Lannister in a naval skirmish. With it already being hinted at, we’ll likely see this in the first or second episode.
In the history of Westeros, this is the battle where Jacaerys loses his life. When the Blacks are losing the battle, Jacaerys arrives to help, along with the Dragonseeds. As the dragons burn the Green fleet, Jacaerys’ dragon, Vermax, is killed, and Jacaerys is shot by a crossbow, sinking into the ocean.
Otto Hightower
Rhys Ifans is one of the most established members of the cast of House of the Dragon, so it will be a shame to lose such a talented actor this season. Similar to Tywin Lannister, Otto is an intelligent and cunning player of the political game, pulling strings behind the scenes. However, even he has seen the war reach a devastating point that he cannot control, leading to his dismissal as Hand of the King to Aegon II Targaryen.
One of the major events that we can anticipate from House of the Dragon season 3 is the fall of King’s Landing, where Rhaenyra takes the city. In Fire and Blood, this marks the end of Otto Hightower, as he is one of several people who are executed by Rhaenyra. However, things will likely not play out the same in House of the Dragon.
Following his dismissal as Hand of the King, the last we hear of Otto in House of the Dragon season 2 is that he was captured while on the road to Oldtown. The ending of season 2 shows Otto in a dungeon, suggesting he may not be present for the Fall of King’s Landing. However, despite things happening slightly differently than in Fire and Blood, it doesn’t seem likely that they’ll decide to keep Otto alive.
Criston Cole
Ser Criston Cole is a character who fans have likely been waiting to see die since the first season. As fascinating and complex as this character is, those fans are likely to finally get their wish with the end drawing near for the disgraced knight.
In the lore of this civil war, Ser Criston will be accompanying Aemond Targaryen to take Harrenhal once Daemon leaves the castle. However, the victory is short-lived as Rhaenyra takes King’s Landing at the same time. While Aemond wants to wage war on the Riverlands, Ser Criston decides it would be best to regroup with the rest of the army.
Ser Criston is cut off in his journey with the arrival of the Northern army, who destroy Ser Criston’s forces in the battle known as Butcher’s Ball. It is a brutal end that could be the proper punishment so many fans feel Ser Criston has coming to him.
Gwayne Hightower… or not?
Gwayne Hightower is the brother of Alicent Hightower, though he hasn’t played a huge role in the story so far. With Freddie Fox taking over the role in season 2, Gwayne joined the war by going into battle under the command of Ser Criston Cole. However, he is yet another character who dies during the Fall of King’s Landing—at least in the book.
When the city is being attacked in Fire & Blood, Gwayne seeks to raise the alarm, only to be stopped by the City Watch, who are loyal to Daemon Targaryen, and killed. However, as he is with Ser Criston in House of the Dragon, this seems to not be the case.
The possibility that Gwayne might not actually die in season 3 was only increased recently, when, as we reported, Fox declared he would be returning for the final season. So that all but confirms another deviation from the book ahead.
House of the Dragon season 3 premieres on HBO and HBO Max on June 21.
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