Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, the book on which House of the Dragon is based.House of the Dragonseason 3 will complete its roster of Targaryens, adding a new member to Team Green.House of the Dragon’s cast of charactersis already an expansive one, but, with the civil war in full swing, there’s room for it to grow in its third season (while inevitably also having to prepare to say goodbye to some others). As each side looks to gain the upper hand, it’ll mean drawing on all the possible resources.
That’ll be particularly important afterHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s endingfaced some criticism for concluding on the precipice of a major battle, rather than doing it there and then (in part because of its truncated eight-episode run).House of the Dragonseason 3is expected to be bigger and, while that doesn’t always mean better, it should certainly be more action-packed as the Dance of the Dragons heats up. With that, then one confirmed new character will have a key role to play, but it can also expand on them from George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood.
House Of The Dragon Season 3 Is Adding Its Biggest Missing Targaryen
Alicent’s Fourth Child Will Finally Be Introduced
Although no official casting announcement has been made,House of the Dragonseason 3 will introduce Daeron Targaryen. The fourth child of Viserys Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, he’s the only one yet to appear on-screen, while his siblings have been major characters throughout most of the show’s run. The explanation for that is that he’s been off in Oldtown as a ward of Lord Ormund Hightower, but that’s going to change in season 3.
Alicent’s Fourth Child Explained: Who Daeron Targaryen Is & Where He’s Been In House Of The Dragon
Otto Hightower finally makes House of the Dragon’s first mention of Daeron Targaryen, the fourth and youngest child of Alicent Hightower & Viserys.
After mentions of him in season 2, as well as his dragon, Tessarion, appearing in the finale, it’s fully confirmed Daeron will appear in the upcoming run of episodes. A now-deleted Instagram post bySteve Toussaint, who plays Corlys Velaryon, revealed the character list of season 3, episode 4’s script, with Daeron’s name included[via X/Twitter userWtDasoiaf]:
That’s certainly not a surprise given it was all but confirmed anyway, but, after he’s been missing for so long, it’s nice to get another clear sign of the character’s involvement. With season 3 expected to begin filming relatively soon, official casting news may not be too far off.
House Of The Dragon Season 3 Will Have To Solve Daeron Targaryen’s Fate
Fire & Blood Has Some Ambiguity With Daeron
ShouldHouse of the Dragonstick toFire & Blood(which, to be fair, isn’t a given), then Daeron will have an important role in season 3. Thanks to flying a dragon, he becomes a key part of Team Green, participating in key battles at the Honeywine and Tumbleton, and playing a role in decisive victories for his side, including earning the nickname “The Daring.” Butwhere the show probably can’t follow the book is in Daeron’s ending.
Fire & Blood has Daeron die at the Second Battle of Tumbleton, but the exact circumstances of his fate are left ambiguous.
Fire & Bloodhas Daeron die at the Second Battle of Tumbleton, but the exact circumstances of his fate are left ambiguous.The book often provides various accounts of historical events, and Daeron’s death is another example, with multiple possible scenarios:
The uncertainty around the death not only adds some confusion to the story, but actually leads to impostors. Following theDance of the Dragons,multiple apparent princes emerge using his name and claiming to be Daeron the Daring. However,Fire & Blooddoes state these were impostors beyond doubt, and that"it is beyond dispute"Daeron died at the Second Battle of Tumbleton.
How Every Main Character In House Of The Dragon Dies In The Books
Fire & Blood explores the rise and fall of the Targaryen. Here is how every main House of the Dragon character dies according to Westerosi history.
House of the Dragonmay never need to get into the impostor story, but itwilllikely need to give the definitive version of events when it comes to Daeron’s death. Given he’s a big character, it really ought to show what happens to him on-screen so that viewers are fully aware of it, and that means providing an answer about how he actually dies.
House Of The Dragon Needs To Make Daeron’s Death Have An Impact
The Character Has Already Missed Half The Show
Daeron Targaryen will be a key character inHouse of the Dragonfrom his introduction through to his death and, while he may not be as major as his siblings, his death should be impactful. He’s a character who audiences should be invested in and, as someone who is much kinder than his brothers, something we care about. But because it hasn’t introduced him yet, it’ll have to work that little bit harder to flesh him out and make his final moments carry the necessary emotional weight.
House of the Dragonseason 3 is expected to begin filming in Spring 2025 and release on HBO and Max sometime in 2026. Season 4, meanwhile, is confirmed to be the show’s last.
There’ll probably only be around a season-and-a-half between Daeron’s introduction and death (which will presumably occur sometime inHouse of the Dragonseason 4). By ensuring he gets enough focus, and highlighting his best traits - his kindness, his bravery - he can stand out among themembers of Team Green. The show has a tough balancing act with so many characters and a lot of major events to get through before it ends, but hopefully it’ll get Daeron’s death right.
House of the Dragon
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House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
