House of the Dragon season 3 is almost upon us, with audiences eagerly anticipating the return of HBO's hit fantasy drama.
The upcoming instalment of the Game of Thrones prequel spin-off looks set to deliver yet another unmissable viewing experience as the Dance of the Dragons reaches new heights of intensity, reports the Mirror.
Once again drawing inspiration from George R. R. Martin's sweeping epic Fire and Blood, the third season of House of the Dragon will continue to chronicle the brutal Targaryen civil war and the turbulent history of Westeros' most formidable dragon dynasty.
HBO has already released a trailer for the highly anticipated new series, offering a glimpse of the carnage ahead as allegiances fracture and treachery lurks around every corner.
Here's everything you need to know about House of the Dragon season three, including the release date, episodes, and plot.
House of the Dragon season three will make its debut on HBO and HBO Max in the USA on Sunday, June 21.
UK viewers will be able to catch the show on Sky Atlantic, NOW, and HBO UK from Monday, June 22 at 2am British Summer Time (BST).
Following in the footsteps of its parent series Game Of Thrones, which pioneered simulcasts as a means of combating illegal downloading, House of the Dragon season three will once again air simultaneously across the UK and the USA.
British fans can therefore watch the new series at precisely the same time as their American counterparts, albeit in the early hours of Monday morning due to the difference in time zones. In the UK, the episode will be repeated on Sky Atlantic at 9pm BST for those who missed the Transatlantic simulcast.
House of the Dragon season three comprises a total of eight episodes - matching the second series - and they will air weekly.
Here's the House of the Dragon season three episode release schedule:
Episode 1 - 21st June.
Episode 2 - 28th June.
Episode 3 - 5th July.
Episode 4 - 12th July.
Episode 5 - 19th July.
Episode 6 - 26th July.
Episode 7 - 2nd August.
Episode 8 - 9th August.
The principal ensemble cast will all be returning for season three, including Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Harry Collett as Jacaerys 'Jace' Velaryon, Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen, Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen, Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen, Jefferson Hall as twins Jason Lannister and Tyland Lannister, Matthew Needham as Ser Larys Strong, Tom Bennett as Ulf White, Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer, Kurt Egyiawan as Orwyle, Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower, Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull.
New cast members include Grantchester and Happy Valley's James Norton as Ser Ormund Hightower, Downton Abbey's Tom Cullen as Luthor Largent, Sons of Anarchy actor Tommy Flanagan as Roderick Dustin, American star Dan Fogler as Torrhen Manderly, Safe actor Joplin Sibtain as Jon Roxton, and Barry Sloane as Adrian Redfort.
Season three will continue directly from where the second series concluded, with Tyland Lannister and Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn) making their way to the Gullet to engage Corlys in battle and shatter the blockade.
Meanwhile, Rhaenyra will be strategising her claim to the Iron Throne following her clandestine encounter with Alicent, who consented to Aegon II's death and an end to the civil war.
In return, Rhaenyra promised that Alicent and Helaena could depart King's Landing and forge a fresh existence away from the carnage.
Aegon and Larys were occupied journeying to Essos as they escaped from a conniving and deadly Aemond.
House of the Dragon season 3 will premiere in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday, June 22 at 2am BST
