Westeros’ Return: HBO Confirms Release Windows for ‘Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ and ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3

In a major development for fans of George R.R. Martin’s universe, HBO has officially clarified the release schedule for its highly-anticipated fantasy series. HBO’s CEO of content, Casey Bloys, recently provided a clear update on the upcoming spin-off A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and the third season of the hit prequel series, House of the Dragon. This news signals a major push for the franchise in the coming year, with a planned “double-header” of new content.

The announcement confirms previous rumors that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms would be pushed from its original late 2025 release. Bloys stated that the series will now premiere in January 2026, while House of the Dragon season 3 is being eyed for a mid-2026 release, likely in June. This strategic spacing aims to avoid franchise fatigue and keep the world of Westeros in the pop culture conversation throughout the entire year.

A New Prequel Arrives in Winter

The first of the two new series to hit screens will be A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. This prequel is based on George R.R. Martin’s novellas, known as the “Dunk and Egg” stories. Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, the show follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, a young Aegon Targaryen (who will eventually become King Aegon V). The six-episode season is a much smaller, more intimate story, focusing on the lives of these two wandering knights rather than the epic political conflicts of the main series.

• A Different Kind of Westeros: Unlike the epic battles and political intrigue of House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms promises a different tone. It’s a more character-driven, slice-of-life fantasy story that explores the everyday life of the Seven Kingdoms. It will delve into the details of Westeros’s culture, customs, and the lives of its common people and lesser nobility, a side of the world that has not been explored in depth on screen.
• Filling the Gap: With House of the Dragon season 3 not arriving until summer, the January release of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a perfect way to bridge the gap and keep fans invested in the franchise. It gives viewers a new taste of Westeros and helps build anticipation for the next phase of the Dance of the Dragons.

The Return of the Dragons and the Dance of Death

The second major event for fans will be the return of House of the Dragon. Season 3 is expected to pick up immediately after the devastating cliffhanger of the second season, with the war between the Blacks and the Greens in full swing. The new season will be an all-out, no-holds-barred conflict that will see major battles, betrayals, and the deaths of key characters and dragons.

Bloys hinted at a June 2026 release, which strategically places the show just outside the eligibility window for the 2026 Emmy Awards. This move is designed to give the show’s extensive post-production team the time they need to perfect the demanding visual effects for the massive dragon and battle sequences. The long lead time from filming to broadcast is a necessary evil for a show of this scale, and HBO is prioritizing quality over a quick turnaround.

For the first time since the early days of the franchise, fans can look forward to a year with not one, but two new series from the world of Westeros. The strategic release schedule allows each show to breathe and stand on its own, ensuring that both the intimate tale of Dunk and Egg and the epic conflict of the Targaryen civil war get their due attention.