Filming on the third season of HBO's Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon begins this month. We've already seen activity at Leavesden Studios, where they're preparing the sets meant to stand in for King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Obviously we'll be returning there in season 3, as that's where a lot of the story plays out.
But we'll be visiting some new locations as well. According to @housethedragons, which keeps tabs on all things House of the Dragon on Twitter, the crew is building a set that will stand in for the town of Tumbleton, located in the northeastern part of the Reach, down near the bottom of the map. Tumbleton was already mentioned in House of the Dragon season 2: Kat, the wife of Hugh the blacksmith, mentioned wanting to flee there rather than stay in King's Landing, where things were becoming increasingly dangerous.
She might end up regretting that decision. Beware SPOILERS below!
Towards the end of season 2, Rhaenyra Targaryen recruited a trio of peasants to become dragon-riders. Among them was Hugh Hammer, who rides the dragon Vermithor.
Meanwhile, in the Reach, there is battle ongoing between houses loyal to Queen Rhaenyra, known as the blacks, and houses loyal to her rival King Aegon II Targaryen, known as greens. In Fire & Blood, the book on which House of the Dragon is based, the greens eventually win that fight and vow to march towards King's Landing, passing through Tumbleton on the way.
I won't spoil the specific, but a battle happens in this town between these rival forces; Hugh Hammer is involved, as is his dragon. Kat wasn't a character in the book, but I wonder if the show might use her to add another layer to the proceedings.
We've also heard from House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal that the new season will adapt "four major events" from the book. The First Battle of Tumbleton could well be one of them. Given that it happens a ways down the line, it may even serve as the climax of season 3.
House of the Dragon will air new episodes on HBO and Max sometime in 2026.
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