House of the Dragon Season 3 Launches on HBO Max

The third season of HBO’s "House of the Dragon" premieres on June 21, 2024, on HBO Max. The opening episode, titled “Battle of the Gullet,” features an expansive naval battle and was previewed at the 72nd Taormina Film Festival in Italy’s ancient theater before a crowd of about 5,000 fans. Showrunner Ryan Condal described the sequence as one of the most ambitious ever filmed for television.

The new season continues the story set two centuries before "Game of Thrones," with a cast that includes Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint and others. Actress Olivia Cooke, who plays Alicent Hightower, spoke in a video interview about her role, noting she hopes to portray the character with more empathy than the ruthless figure seen on screen. Cooke also shared personal comforts such as her favourite Stephen Colbert mug and a Shark fan, reflecting on balancing her work on the series with daily life.

HBO Max’s release schedule for the week of June 15‑21 lists the new season among other new titles, underscoring the platform’s emphasis on the high‑profile fantasy series.