House of the Dragon Season 3: All Expected Character Deaths and When They Will Happen [SPOILERS]

Major spoilers ahead for George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood and potentially future seasons of House of the Dragon.

House of the Dragon Season 2 ended with Rhaenyra finally gaining new dragonriders through the Sowing of the Seeds, while Alicent secretly offered to help her take King’s Landing. With reports suggesting that House of the Dragon Season 3 will begin with the Battle of the Gullet and move quickly into the Fall of King’s Landing, some of the bloodiest chapters of the Dance of the Dragons are now right around the corner. While HBO has made changes to the source material, the show’s biggest historical events have largely remained intact so far. Based on Fire & Blood, here are the major character deaths we expect to see in House of the Dragon Season 3 and where they are likely to happen.

I. Jacaerys Velaryon & Vermax – Battle of the Gullet

(Expected in Episode 1) One of the most heartbreaking losses of the Dance, Jace dies while defending the Velaryon fleet during the Battle of the Gullet. His dragon Vermax is brought down during the chaos, sending both rider and dragon to their deaths. If reports about the Season 3 premiere are accurate, this tragedy could arrive immediately.

II. Stormcloud – Battle of the Gullet

(Expected in Episode 1) Aegon the Younger escapes the battle on the back of his young dragon Stormcloud. Though the dragon succeeds in carrying him to safety, Stormcloud is mortally wounded during the journey and dies shortly afterward from its injuries.

III. Otto Hightower – Fall of King’s Landing

(Expected in Episode 2) If the series follows the book, Otto is captured when Rhaenyra takes King’s Landing. Unlike in Fire & Blood, the show has already removed him from the capital, but the season 2 finale, we saw a glimpse of him which makes us believe he will return to King’s Landing in the Season 3 premiere. So, his eventual execution at Rhaenyra’s command remains a likely outcome.

IV. Gwayne Hightower – Fall of King’s Landing

(Expected in Episode 3) Alicent’s brother has been significantly expanded in the HBO adaptation. Should the series remain faithful to the broader story, Gwayne is expected to be captured alongside other Green loyalists when King’s Landing falls and meet a grim end soon afterward.

V. Ser Criston Cole – Butcher’s Ball

(Expected in Episode 5 or 6) The Kingmaker’s story ends not in glorious combat but in humiliation. Surrounded by enemy forces during the Butcher’s Ball, Criston is killed before he can challenge anyone to single combat, bringing an unceremonious end to one of the war’s most influential figures.

VI. Casualties at the First Battle of Tumbleton

(Expected in Finale) The First Battle of Tumbleton was one of the bloodiest engagements of the Dance of the Dragons and could easily serve as one of Season 3’s biggest episodes and even the finale. Among the most notable casualties were Lord Ormund Hightower, commander of the massive Green host, and his cousin Ser Bryndon Hightower.

On the Black side, the battle claimed the lives of Lord Roderick Dustin, the legendary leader of the Winter Wolves, along with prominent commanders Ser Garibald Grey, Ser Pate of Longleaf, and Ser Merrell the Bold. The devastation did not end on the battlefield. After the dragonrider betrayals turned the tide, Tumbleton was brutally sacked, resulting in the capture and execution of Lord Footly’s garrison and the deaths of countless civilians as dragonfire reduced much of the town to ashes.

VII. Aemond Targaryen & Vhagar – Battle Above the Gods Eye

If HBO decides not to save it for the final season, the legendary duel above the Gods Eye could serve as Season 3’s climax. Aemond and Vhagar face Daemon and Caraxes in one of the most iconic dragon battles in Westerosi history, ending with all four meeting their deaths.

VIII. Daemon Targaryen & Caraxes – Battle Above the Gods Eye

Daemon’s final confrontation with Aemond is one of the defining moments of the Dance of the Dragons. The Rogue Prince leaps from Caraxes onto Vhagar in mid-air before both dragons crash into the Gods Eye, seemingly ending the lives of both warriors.

Will All of These Deaths Actually Happen?

That’s the big question. While Fire & Blood provides a roadmap, House of the Dragon has already altered timelines, character relationships, and motivations. Major events such as Blood and Cheese, Rook’s Rest, and the Sowing of the Seeds have remained broadly faithful, but HBO could easily move certain deaths into Season 4 or change the circumstances entirely.

Still, if Season 3 truly covers the Battle of the Gullet, the Fall of King’s Landing, Butcher’s Ball, and the First Battle of Tumbleton, viewers should prepare for the deadliest season of House of the Dragon yet.

If you have any questions regarding House of the Dragon Season 3, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe, and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!