House of the Dragon Season 3 Release Window Finally Confirmed as Star Teases Massive New Episodes

HBO is keeping House of the Dragon on a slow burn. Season 3 isn’t landing next year. It’s aiming for early summer 2026, which basically locks the show into a two-year cycle between seasons.

So when exactly?

HBO chief Casey Bloys said the new season will likely premiere just outside the 2026 Emmy eligibility window, which ends in late May. Do the math and you’re looking at June 2026. That would be exactly two years after season 2 kicked off on 16 June 2024 and wrapped on 4 August.

Where production is at

Olivia Cooke, who plays Alicent Hightower, says the shoot is big, long, and almost there. She told ScreenRant that cameras started rolling in April and are scheduled to stop in October.

'We started in April, so we are done in October... It is actually ridiculous... a lot of practical, huge stunt work. It’s mad.'

Translation: expect a lot of real-world stunt work and some oversized battle business. If HBO is taking two years, they’re going to make it look expensive.

Who’s back, who’s new

Assume the surviving regulars return. The fresh face to know about is James Norton (Happy Valley, King & Conqueror, House of Guinness) as Ormund Hightower. Ormund is Otto Hightower’s nephew (yes, that Otto, played by Rhys Ifans), and he’ll be the guy leading a march on King’s Landing against Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy). That’s a spicy family reunion.

The short version

• Season 3 release window: early summer 2026, likely June
• Reasoning: just outside the 2026 Emmy cutoff at the end of May
• Season 2 ran 16 June–4 August 2024
• Season 3 filming: April through October (per Olivia Cooke)
• New cast: James Norton as Ormund Hightower, leading forces against Rhaenyra

If you need a refresher, House of the Dragon seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Sky and NOW. And yes, it looks like the show is settling into a two-years-between-seasons groove. Not fast, but at least you can plan for it.