The second season of HBO's Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon ended last year, and we'll most definitely be waiting until 2026 before we see any new episodes. That said, filming on season 3 is set to begin in March, so we're about to see and hear a lot of interesting stuff. Prepare for a flood of information.
In fact, a trickle has already begun. We've got wind of several casting decisions the show has made about season 3. First up, reliable X account and news house @housethedragons has learned that the show is casting a pair of redheaded children: a girl aged 6-7 and a boy aged 11-13. Speaking as someone who's read the source material for House of the Dragon, George R.R. Martin's book Fire & Blood, nothing jumps out at me, which isn't shocking considering that the TV series is basically on its own track now. I'm guessing these kids will play a part in some new scene invented for the show.
@Housethedragons also brings us news that House of the Dragon is looking for "mid-level or higher" archers. By the end of season 2, forces loyal to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and King Aegon II Targaryen were at war over the Iron Throne, so there will be plenty of opportunities for archers to get involved. There are also a couple of particular scenes from the book I can think of. There's a big action sequence called the Battle of the Gullet on the way which involves archers, and another scene involving Ser Criston Cole coming later down the timeline. We'll definitely get the Battle of the Gullet in House of the Dragon season 3, and probably pretty early on. The scene with Criston Cole is more of a toss up.
Finally, a website called Extra People has a casting notice looking for "RUGGED MEN." According to the ad, a "[r]eturning major fantasy series needs men with facial hair and good hair to play soldiers! Facial hair can range from overgrown scruff to longer beards. Hair must be grown out - no short back & sides or modern fades!"
Filming with these extras will take place in Wales starting in March, which lines up with the filming timeline we have for House of the Dragon season 3. "No experience needed!" the ad continues. "You must be an early riser, have a great work ethic and professional attitude." They even have a collage of bearded dudes to give you an idea of what they're looking for, so if you fit the bill, "Please apply now and tell your friends!" But remember, you need "facial hair" AND "good hair," whatever that means.
As for who these extras could be playing, the most obvious guess is that they'll be soldiers from the North, who are noramlly depicted as hirsute. In season 2, Jacaerys Velaryon made a deal with Cregan Stark, the lord of Winterfell, that Cregan would send Northern soldiers down south to help Rhaenyra's war effort. We saw a gaggle of them cross the bridge at the Twins in the season 2 finale. In season 3, they will bring all their hairy ferocity to bear.
Expect more reports like this throughout filming season, which sounds like it will run for a long time. Hopefully that pays off when House of the Dragon season 3 premieres on HBO and Max sometime next year.
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