House of the Dragon season 3 marks the twelfth season of television from the A Song of Ice and Fire franchise on HBO. Between eight seasons of Game of Thrones, three of House of the Dragon, and an initial outing from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms earlier this year, the Westeros shows have established a rhythm and routine among themselves, allowing fans to generally know what story beats to expect when starting a season, including battles, betrayals, and, of course, major character deaths.
Despite eleven other competitors, the newest season of House of the Dragon has officially tied a franchise record, matching a grand total from one of the most controversial seasons throughout all three shows. This record emphasizes just how much went down across this most recent season, and teases an incredibly dark final outing in House of the Dragon season 4.
House of the Dragon season 3 ties with Game of Thrones season 8 for most major deaths
Throughout House of the Dragon season 3, nine characters played by series regulars (actors whose names are featured in the opening title sequence) bite the dust. In the series premiere, "Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood," Jacaerys "Jace" Targaryen (Harry Collett) famously falls during the Battle of the Gullet. Additionally, Lord Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall) loses his head off screen, though Hall still appears throughout the season as Jason's twin brother Tyland. In the following episode, both Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) and Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) are killed. Though Ifans was uncredited for his appearance in "Queen's Landing," he received main cast billing throughout the first two seasons of the series, and his character's death marks a major turning point for the entire series.
After a (somewhat) peaceful stretch, Ser Criston Cole (Fabian Frankle) finds himself killed in the sixth episode of the season, "Faceless Men," during the Butcher's Ball. Then, the Battle of Tumbleton, featured in the season finale, "The Treasons of Tumbleton," claims the lives of Roddy the Ruin (Tommy Flannigan), Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton), and Kat (Ellora Torchia), the wife of dragonseed Ser Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew). Finally, the season ends with the suicide of Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban), bringing the total of series regulars to die in season 3 to nine.
This total matches season 8 of Game of Thrones, the previous record holder, which also killed off nine series regulars. Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen), Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen), and Melisandre (Carice van Houten) all die during "The Long Night" in the clash against the undead at the Battle of Winterfell. In the following episode, "The Last of the Starks," Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) executes Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel), enraging Queen Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). Then, the penultimate episode of the series, "The Bells," opens with Daenerys burning Lord Varys (Conleth Hill) to death with her dragon as penalty for treason. Sandor "The Hound" Clegane (Rory McCann) then dies in battle during Daenerys' assault on King's Landing, and Cersei, along with her twin brother Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), ends up crushed by falling debris. Finally, Daenerys herself is killed by Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) in the final episode of the series, "The Iron Throne," marking the show's last major character death.
Most seasons don't come anywhere close to this many series regular deaths. Season 6 of Game of Thrones came closest, killing off five. Seasons 1, 3, and 4 of Game of Thrones kill four each. Season 5 features two, with the deaths of Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) and Jon Snow, though the later wouldn't stick. Season 7 only results in one series regular death, Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish (Aidan Gillen), and all main cast members uncharacteristically survive season 2. Additionally, two series regulars die in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1, though Ser Arlan of Pennytree's (Danny Webb) death acts as a catalyst for the series, and the character only appears via flashback after his demise. Finally, the first two seasons of House of the Dragon kill only one series regular each, with Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) dying in season 1, and Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) falling in season 2.
What does this mean for House of the Dragon season 4?
House of the Dragon season 3 obviously eclipses the first two seasons in terms of the number of series regular deaths, setting the record for the series within its first episode. As such, season 4 will lack characters that have been a key part of the show since the very beginning, such as Otto Hightower and Criston Cole.
Additionally, if House of the Dragon sticks to its source material, George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood, for its final season, then it may well have even more major characters to kill off. Sadly, not many characters survive the Dance of Dragons, and, with only eight episodes of the series to go, fans will have to say goodbye to countless series staples they've grown to love. Depending on when House of the Dragon ends its story, season 4 may end up breaking the tragic record set by season 3 and Game of Thrones season 8.
Make sure to stream House of the Dragon season 3, now fully available on HBO Max.
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