Epic Battles and New Adventures Await in the Expanding Game of Thrones Universe

House of the Dragon Season 3 to Feature the Monumental Battle of the Gullet; A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Introduces Fans to Dunk and Egg’s Journey

Following a concise eight-episode second season that concluded on a subdued note, HBO’s House of the Dragon is set to return with renewed vigor in 2026. In an interview with Deadline Francesca Orsi, HBO’s Head of Drama Series and Films, shared insights into the network’s upcoming drama lineup during an interview at The White Lotus Season 3 premiere.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the fantasy series, Orsi revealed that Season 3 will commence with an exhilarating battle sequence. “I’m really excited. I think you’re going to be in for a great surprise on how we start the [season] with an exciting battle,” she remarked. This statement aligns with previous indications that the Battle of the Gullet, a significant naval confrontation between the Blacks and Greens, was deferred from Season 2 to Season 3 to ensure adequate production time and resources.
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Orsi emphasized the importance of this decision, stating, “You know what, it was worth the wait. I was just on set and saw all the elements and what was behind it. I’m so glad we waited because it’s going to be better than ever, and I don’t think we had the time at that point to do what it is that we’ve achieved now this season.”

She further highlighted the scale of the upcoming battle, noting the involvement of lead producer Kevin de la Noy, known for his work on Titanic. “It’s just so massive, we needed the time to build it,” Orsi continued. “One of the lead producers on it [Kevin de la Noy] worked on Titanic, so all that he brought in terms of acumen of what happened on the Titanic and how that entire experience is built, he brings that expertise to it.”

House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal previously discussed the challenges of balancing storytelling with available resources. He emphasized the extensive requirements needed to depict the Battle of the Gullet authentically, including construction, armor, costumes, and visual effects. Condal assured fans that the event would be the most significant action sequence the show has undertaken to date.

In addition to House of the Dragon, HBO is expanding the Game of Thrones universe with a new prequel series titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas, the six-episode first season, subtitled The Hedge Knight, is set approximately 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones. The series follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg.

Orsi shared that Martin has expressed strong approval of the adaptation. “He loves it,” she said, referring to the internal feedback they’ve received from the series creator.

She also praised the performances of the lead actors, Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, who portray Dunk and Egg, respectively. The positive reception has led HBO executives to consider filming subsequent seasons back-to-back, given the series’ smaller scale and more cost-effective production. “You’re going to be so impressed by Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell as Dunk and Egg, the two leads, the sort of brotherhood, the paternal nature between Dunk and this young man,” Orsi commented. “So much so that we’re already planning on how do we build this for the three seasons in total. We’re not picking it up officially, but it’s looking very good. We’re looking at it as a holistic piece, Seasons 2 and 3, because there’s three novellas.”

She acknowledged the need for a swift production schedule due to the young age of the character Egg. “The role of Egg only spans not even a year, so you have to roll into it season to season pretty quickly, because this little kid will grow up too quickly if we wait too long,” she added. “So we’re thinking about that in terms of pickups.”

While A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is described as an “intimate” production, Orsi noted that this approach is an exception. HBO is actively developing other Game of Thrones spinoffs, many of which are expected to have larger budgets and grander scales. “We have other spinoffs that we’re working on right now, one of which — which I won’t get into — is very promising, and it is still the Targaryen line,” Orsi said. “There’s a number of other spinoffs, we can’t really guarantee what’s going to go forward, but we are very big budget on the other ones. I would say this is the most intimate one.”

As HBO continues to expand the Game of Thrones universe, fans can anticipate a blend of epic battles and character-driven narratives in the forthcoming series.