House of the Dragon Season 3: Matt Smith Talks Filming Progress

Originally posted on Total Apex Entertainment
By Alicia Fournier | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 1:38 PM ET

The fires of Westeros refuse to die out. After two blood-soaked seasons of betrayal, dragonfire, and bitter family feuds, House of the Dragon is once again spreading its wings. Season 3 officially began filming in the UK this spring, igniting a new wave of anticipation among fans who’ve been clamoring for updates. HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel has cemented itself as one of the most ambitious shows on television, and with Matt Smith (Daemon Targaryen) confirming that the cast is deep into production, the battle for the Iron Throne is about to reach a fever pitch.

House of the Dragon: Momentum Builds Behind the Scenes

Image from House of the Dragon courtesy of HBO Max

At MegaCon Orlando, Matt Smith (Daemon Targaryen) and Fabien Frankel (Criston Cole) revealed they’ve already received scripts for episodes 4, 5, and 6—and reports indicate scripts for episodes 1 through 3 are in hand too. Production is in full swing with a shooting timeline expected to run from early 2025 to autumn, wrapping around October or November.

Smith confirmed during an appearance on the Today Show on August 25th that filming is about six months in and closing in on completion—positioning the season for a potential mid-to-late 2026 premiere.

Set Pieces & Scenic Stands: The Scale of Production

Beyond studio soundstages, large-scale battlefield sets are underway across the UK. Leaked photos show massive stone walls erected in North Wales near Dinorwic Quarry and Penmon, hinting at scenes at Harrenhal or the Vale. Additional reports place Smith and newcomer James Norton suited up in full cavalry regalia—indicators of mounted battles and one of the season’s centerpiece conflicts, likely the Battle of the Gullet.

Final Thoughts

House of the Dragon, Courtesy of HBO Max

As the cameras roll and scripts pass from hand to hand, House of the Dragon Season 3 is already shaping up to be more than just another installment—it’s the moment where the simmering conflict finally explodes into full-scale war. Smith’s updates confirm the momentum is unstoppable, and the leaks suggest the scale is bigger than anything we’ve seen from Westeros since Game of Thrones’ peak.

The dragons are restless. The alliances are brittle. And the blood of the realm is about to be tested in fire.

When Season 3 arrives, there will be no turning back. Families will be torn apart. Thrones will crumble. Skies will burn. And in the heart of it all, only one truth will remain: in the Dance of the Dragons, mercy is a myth, and survival comes at the cost of everything.

So sharpen your swords, brace for fire—and prepare to witness the war that will decide the fate of Westeros.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Entertainment and was syndicated with permission.

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