Much like predecessor ‘Game of Thrones’, the bloodthirsty series is known for killing off major characters
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Last night’s season three finale of HBO’s House of the Dragon was ruthless in whittling down the major players ahead of the hit fantasy show’s fourth and final season.
Much like its predecessor Game of Thrones, the series has become well known for shocking viewers by brutally and unexpectedly chopping down major cast members.
In fact, the deaths in season three came so thick and fast that you could be forgiven for missing a few.
Here’s a recap of all the key characters we’ve said goodbye to in the last eight episodes:
*Warning — Major spoilers ahead for ‘House of the Dragon’ season three.*
It didn’t take long for House of the Dragon long to bring the axe down this season. In the very first episode, Queen Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) beloved eldest son Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) hatches a plan to protect his mother from the frontlines of war by locking her in her room and heading off to the Battle of the Gullett on his dragon, Vermax.
Tragedy soon befalls both Jacaerys and Vermax as they are burned by the untamed dragon Sheepstealer (ridden by Phoebe Campbell’s Rhaena). After Vermax is harpooned, Jacaerys is shot with arrows and Rhaenyra must face losing a son for second time. (Her son Prince Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault) was killed by Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) and his dragon Vhagar at the end of season one.)
While the death of Prince Jacaerys was arguably the most significant moment in this season’s opening episode, spare a thought for Admiral Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn) who also met her fate during the Battle of the Gullett.
Single-mindedly intent on having her revenge on the Sea Snake himself, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), Admiral Lohar initially seems to get the upper hand when she fights Corlys and he’s thrown into the sea. However, he manages to survive while his illegitimate son Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) jumps in to attempt to drown Admiral Lohar and ultimately stabs her in the neck.
Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) failed to make it past the second episode of season three, cut down by a raging Aemond Targaryen in his home at Harrenhal. Aemond subsequently made the crumbling old castle his own.
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Sometimes, a Queen has to get her hands dirty. Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) gets the rare distinction of being killed off by Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) personally. He’s beheaded at the end of episode two as punishment for his plot to put his grandson Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carne) on the Iron Throne instead of her.
Ah, poor sweet romantic Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel). The noble knight knows he’s doomed as he leads his rapidly-depleting troops onwards, and in his final moments he’s thinking of his star-crossed lover Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). He hopes for a noble death when, surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, he challenges Ser Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) to a duel, but he’s unceremoniously killed by a volley of arrows instead.
