House of the Dragon season 3 June 21

Warner Bros. Discovery said on April 27 that “House of the Dragon” will return for its third season on Sunday, June 21, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, with streaming on HBO Max. The company said the season will run for eight episodes, with weekly releases through the finale on August 9. The new season resumes the Targaryen civil war adapted from George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.” Ryan Condal remains co-creator and showrunner, and the cast again includes Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith and Olivia Cooke. ### When exactly does the new season start, and how long will it run? June 21 is the confirmed U.S. premiere date, according to Warner Bros. Discovery’s press release. HBO said the episode will air at 9 p.m. ET/PT and the eight-episode season will continue weekly until August 9. April 27 was the date HBO publicly set the schedule after previously saying only that the series would return in June. The company’s release also listed the returning ensemble, including Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Ewan Mitchell and Tom Glynn-Carney. ### Why are so many previews focused on the premiere? Ryan Condal told TV Insider on June 1 that the season opens with the Battle of the Gullet, a major naval clash from Martin’s source material. Condal said the episode was the “effort” equivalent of making a major franchise movie and said the battle is “only the beginning” of the season’s action. TV Insider reported that the sequence had been in development for more than three years and involved extensive practical production work. Condal said two different tanks were built for filming, along with ship sets mounted on gimbals to simulate movement at sea. ### What does the trailer show about where the story is headed? HBO released a full trailer on May 29 showing the war moving into a more openly destructive phase. The footage centers on Rhaenyra Targaryen, played by Emma D’Arcy, as dragon warfare expands and the struggle for King’s Landing intensifies. Deadline reported that the trailer points directly to the Battle of the Gullet at the start of the season. Other trailer coverage has focused on images suggesting Rhaenyra is approaching or taking control of King’s Landing, a development that would move the conflict into the seat of power. ### Who is back for season three? Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith and Olivia Cooke return as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen and Alicent Hightower. Warner Bros. Discovery also listed Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett and several other returning cast members in its season announcement. Ryan Condal is again credited as co-creator, showrunner and executive producer. George R.R. Martin remains a co-creator and executive producer on the series, which is based on “Fire & Blood.” ### Where does season three pick up after season two? Season three continues the Dance of the Dragons after the political conflict of the first two seasons turned into open war. HBO’s season description says the factions of House Targaryen are now engaged in a conflict “like no other,” with the struggle no longer confined to court maneuvering. June 21 is the next major date for viewers, when the premiere arrives on HBO and HBO Max. August 9 is the scheduled finale date if HBO keeps its weekly rollout unchanged.