After a sluggish second season that left fans wanting more, House of the Dragon Season 3 has roared back with a vengeance. The Dance of the Dragons is in full swing, and the body count is climbing. With Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) on the Iron Throne but far from secure, and Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) still at large, the war has taken a heavy toll on both sides. From seasoned players to fresh faces, no one is safe. Here's our ranking of the season's most significant deaths, based on their narrative weight and lasting consequences.
10. Lord Jasper Wylde (Ironrod)
Lord Jasper Wylde, played by Paul Kennedy, has been a fixture since Season 1, but his death barely registers. As Master of Laws, he was a staunch supporter of Aegon's claim, and his adherence to legal technicalities made him a predictable adversary. His demise comes at the hands of Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) during the fall of King's Landing. The show tries to make us care by having him attempt to assault Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), but it feels forced. His death is more of a darkly comic moment than a tragic one, as he's cut off mid-sentence.
9. Captain Sharako Lohar
Abigail Thorn's Sharako Lohar is a flamboyant pirate captain who brings a spark of energy to the Triarchy alliance. She appears in only two episodes, but her role in the Battle of the Gullet is pivotal. She dies at the hands of Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim), but her attack cripples the Velaryon fleet and leaves High Tide in ruins, weakening Corlys Velaryon's (Steve Toussaint) position. While her death is impactful for the war, she's too new to leave a lasting emotional impression.
8. Lord Jason Lannister
Jefferson Hall pulls double duty as the Lannister twins, and it's Jason who meets a grim end. He leads the Lannister army in Aegon's name but is massacred by a combined force of Rivermen and Winter Wolves. His death happens offscreen, making it the least memorable on this list. However, it has significant consequences: House Lannister is left without a leader, and the Greens lose a major source of manpower. Plus, there's a macabre humor in seeing Daemon singing beside Jason's head on a spike.
7. Ser Simon Strong
Simon Russell Beale's Ser Simon Strong is one of the show's most endearing side characters. As the castellan of Harrenhal, he tries to help Daemon rally the Riverlords, all while navigating the prince's visions. His death, along with his sons, at the hands of Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) is a gut punch. It leaves Harrenhal in the hands of Aemond and the mysterious Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), setting up future conflicts. Simon's kindness was a rare commodity in Westeros, and his loss is felt.
6. Ser Otto Hightower
Rhys Ifans' Otto Hightower has been a schemer since the beginning, serving as Hand of the King for two monarchs. His ambition and manipulation led to Alicent's marriage to Viserys and the eventual crowning of Aegon. His death is a major turning point, as it removes one of the Greens' most cunning strategists. While his fate is sealed in the books, the show delivers it with a chilling finality that underscores the brutality of the war. Otto's demise is a reminder that even the most calculating players can fall.
5. Prince Daeron Targaryen
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth's Daeron is a new addition this season, and his death is a shock. As Aegon's younger brother, he commands a dragon and is a key asset for the Greens. His death in the Battle of the Gullet, where his dragon is killed, is a devastating blow. It not only removes a Targaryen from the board but also shifts the balance of power. Daeron's death is a reminder that even the most promising young dragons can be extinguished.
4. Lord Corlys Velaryon
Steve Toussaint's Corlys, the Sea Snake, has been a pillar of the show. His death, while not in the books, is a major departure that will have ripple effects. He dies defending High Tide from the Triarchy, a heroic end for a man who has lost so much. His death leaves Rhaenyra without her most trusted advisor and the Velaryon fleet in disarray. It's a poignant moment that highlights the cost of war.
3. Queen Alicent Hightower
Olivia Cooke's Alicent has been a complex figure, torn between duty and love. Her death, which occurs after the fall of King's Landing, is a tragic end to her arc. She is killed by Daemon, who sees her as a symbol of the Greens' rebellion. Her death is a major emotional beat, as it removes the last link to the old order and leaves her children to face the consequences. It's a powerful scene that underscores the personal toll of the war.
2. Prince Aemond Targaryen
Ewan Mitchell's Aemond has been a fan favorite, with his ruthless cunning and dragon Vhagar. His death in the Battle Above the Gods Eye is one of the most anticipated moments from the books, and the show delivers. He and Daemon fall to their deaths in a spectacular dragon duel, a fitting end for two of the most formidable warriors. Aemond's death is a major turning point, as it leaves the Greens without their most dangerous asset and sets the stage for the final conflict.
1. Prince Daemon Targaryen
Matt Smith's Daemon has been the heart of the show, a rogue prince with a complicated moral code. His death, alongside Aemond, is the season's most impactful. It's a heroic sacrifice that ensures Aemond's defeat and secures Rhaenyra's position, but it also leaves her alone. Daemon's death is a gut-wrenching moment that will have lasting repercussions. It's a fitting end for a character who lived and died by the sword, and it sets up the final season with a sense of loss and determination.
Season 3 has been a rollercoaster, and these deaths have reshaped the landscape of Westeros. As we look ahead to the final season, the stakes have never been higher. For more on the show's future, check out our analysis of the finale and Alyn's shocking kill. And if you're in the mood for more rankings, we've got nerve-shredding movies and anime thrillers to keep you entertained.
