‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 teaser: All-out Targaryen war as Rhaenyra and Alicent collide

HBO Max has released the first teaser trailer for the third season of House of the Dragon, offering a fiery glimpse at the escalating Targaryen civil war as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower move closer to an all-out confrontation.

The teaser, running just over a minute, signals a darker turn for the series, with the season being promoted under the tagline “From Fire Comes Darkness.” Set against sweeping visuals of dragonfire, marching armies and naval warfare, the footage suggests that the long-brewing conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons is entering its most destructive phase yet.

Season 3 picks up after the events of the previous chapter, with Aemond Targaryen effectively seizing control of the Iron Throne following King Aegon II’s incapacitation. Queen Alicent is seen making a risky and secretive move away from King’s Landing, intending to surrender the capital to Rhaenyra’s forces in a bid to prevent further bloodshed. Rhaenyra, meanwhile, appears more powerful than ever, bolstered by newly bonded dragons that significantly strengthen her claim and her army.

The footage also teases major set pieces that fans have long anticipated, including the Battle of the Gullet, one of the bloodiest clashes in Westerosi history. Quick shots of dragon-on-dragon combat, burning fleets, and battlefield carnage hint that Season 3 will move decisively into large-scale warfare.

Based on George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon is set nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. The new season is slated to premiere in June on HBO and HBO Max, with returning cast members including Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, Ewan Mitchell and Tom Glynn-Carney.