Aug. 8, 2026, 3:00 p.m. ET
Warning: This story incorporates spoilers from Episodes 1-7 of “House of the Dragon” Season 3.
Fever desires are excessive within the penultimate episode of “Home of the Dragon” Season 3 as Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) holds the Iron Throne and dragons conflict forward of the bloody Battle of Tumbleton.
The ultimate episode’s preview teases an all-out struggle between the Targaryens and Hightowers, in addition to surprising betrayals which might be positive to shake up the collection.
The season additionally began on a bloody notice with the rival Targaryen factions clashing within the Battle of the Gullet, resulting in Rhaenyra assuming the Iron Throne whereas Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) fled city.
Primarily based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fireplace & Blood,” the collection is about 200 years earlier than the occasions of “Recreation of Thrones” and tells the story of Home Targaryen.
Nevertheless, the writer has had a difficult relationship with the HBO present. In 2024, he penned a scathing blog entry slamming modifications the collection has made to his supply materials and, within the course of, spoiled an upcoming plot level from Season 3 that he was sad about. Martin later deleted the weblog.
USA TODAY TV critic Kelly Lawler gave the brand new season ★★½ out of four, writing that Season 3 “nonetheless has too many forgettable and stilted characters and never practically sufficient oomph behind its greatest conflicts, even with two seasons’ value of backstory in its wake.”
“However there are glimmers of hope, significantly after the primary two (sadly) table-setting episodes, that there’s some honest-to-goodness storytelling momentum right here,” her evaluation mentioned. “The tempo quickens, the characters begin utilizing their brains, and there is even a smidgen of levity blended in with all of the heads on pikes and grieving moms.”
When is the ‘Home of the Dragon’ Season 3 finale?
The Season 3 finale of “Home of the Dragon” will air on HBO on Sunday, Aug. 9, at 9 p.m. ET/PT and can be accessible to stream on HBO Max at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
watch ‘Home of the Dragon’ Season 3 finale on TV, streaming
“Home of the Dragon” Season 3 airs on HBO at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is accessible to stream on HBO Max at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT on Sundays.
Watch ‘Home of the Dragon’ Season 3 finale preview
‘Home of the Dragon’ Season 3 forged
- Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
- Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Olivia Cooke as Queen Dowager Alicent Hightower
- Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon II Targaryen
- Phia Saban as Queen Helaena Targaryen
- Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen
- Bethany Antonia as Girl Baela Targaryen
- Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen
- Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole
- Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower
- Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon
- Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull
- Matthew Needham as Lord Larys Robust
- Abigail Thorn as Admiral Sharako Lohar
Will ‘Home of the Dragon’ return for Season 4?
Sure. The collection is anticipated to return for its fourth and remaining season in 2028.
HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys, in a January interview with Deadline, mentioned Season 4 would possible be the final.
“Sure, that’s the concept,” Bloys mentioned when requested to verify whether or not Season 4 can be the final, as showrunner Ryan Condal implied. “The concept has at all times been to observe the historical past of the Targaryens. If you recognize the books, you understand how the Targaryens find yourself. So, there’s a pure finish to this specific historical past of that Home of the Targaryens.”
Season 4 is expected to air sometime in 2028.
Contributing: Kelly Lawler, Brendan Morrow, Bryan Alexander / USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending information reporter for USA TODAY. Attain her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and observe her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
