HBO greenlights House of the Dragon season 4 before confirming season 3's premiere date

House of the Dragon season 4 has been officially greenlit by HBO, despite the premiere date for season 3 not yet being confirmed. The announcement came during HBO’s presentation in New York City, where Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max, confirmed that the fourth season is planned for 2028.

At the same event, HBO released new promotional images for House of the Dragon season 3, which is scheduled to debut in summer 2026. The early renewal reflects HBO’s commitment to the Targaryen-focused prequel and the continued expansion of the Game of Thrones universe.

Set roughly 200 years before Game of Thrones, the series explores House Targaryen during the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, following the succession disputes that destabilized Westeros.

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House of the Dragon season 3 cast and story developments

Matt Smith stars as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon (Image via X/House of the Dragon)

The finale of season 2 in August 2024 saw Aemond Targaryen kill Lucerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra Targaryen's son. The scenario went from political tension to a full-blown civil conflict. In House of the Dragon season 3, the war will rage on with bigger conflicts, new alliances, and more stakes in politics.

Returning cast members include Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, and Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon.

New pictures from season 3 show Rhaenyra looking at her crown and Daemon leading soldiers into combat. The pictures show both political and military plots.

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Production and timeline for House of the Dragon season 4

Emma D'Arcy stars as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon (Image via X/House of the Dragon)

HBO announced that season 4 of House of the Dragon will come out in 2028. Ryan Condal, who runs the show, has said that it might end after four seasons, but there is no clear end date yet. Condal is still writing the fourth season, which means that the plot can change.

Season 3 will start airing in the summer of 2026, and filming is still going on in 2025 and 2026. Visual effects, dragon sequences, and large fight scenes require longer production schedules due to their complexity and time-consuming nature. The early renewal for House of the Dragon season 4 makes sure that production stays on schedule and that current storylines continue.

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HBO’s long-term plans for the Game of Thrones universe

The cast of House of the Dragon (Image via Getty)

The confirmation of House of the Dragon season 4 aligns with HBO’s strategy to expand the Game of Thrones universe. The network also renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for a second season, which will debut in 2027. Both series draw from George R.R. Martin’s works, with House of the Dragon based on Fire & Blood and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on the Tales of Dunk and Egg.

Season 3 will establish storylines and conflicts that lead directly into season 4. As the civil war unfolds, political maneuvering, alliances, and battle sequences in House of the Dragon season 4 will build on events from season 3, continuing the Targaryen dynasty’s story.

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House of the Dragon season 4 is confirmed for 2028, while season 3 will premiere in summer 2026. Both seasons will stream on HBO and HBO Max, allowing viewers to follow the Targaryen saga and the evolving Dance of the Dragons.

Edited by Bea Melisse Ibañez