House of the Dragon season 2 reviews, episode count, and everything else you need to know about the HBO show

House of the Dragon season 2 has now come to an end. But, as the season finished on a bit of a cliffhanger or two, the stakes in the Dance of the Dragons heading into House of the Dragon season 3 couldn't be higher. In the ongoing war between the Greens vs. Blacks, both sides have marshalled their forces, and are now ready for war.

If, like us, you can't get enough of Westeros, then you've come to the right place. Whether you are new to the series and want to know more about season 2, or if you're looking to refresh yourself on the second installment ahead of season 3, then you will find all of that and more here.

Below, you can get up to speed on the House of the Dragon season 2 episode count, our review and recaps, a breakdown of the story, and much more besides. Of course, you'll find spoilers here, so tread carefully if you're not up to date on the new installment. So, without further ado, get reading to brush up on your Targaryen history. Fire and blood awaits!

House of the Dragon season 2 episode count

Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2 — (Image credit: HBO/Sky)

House of the Dragon season 2 consists of eight episodes. That's two episodes shorter than season 1. Here are our recaps and reviews of every episode aired:

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1: 'A Son for a Son'
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2: 'Rhaenyra the Cruel'
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3: 'The Burning Mill'
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4: 'The Red Dragon and the Gold'
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5: 'Regent'
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6: 'The Smallfolk'
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7: 'An Army of Bastards'
House of the Dragon season 2 episode 8: The Queen Who Ever Was

While George R.R. Martin suggested on his blog that all seasons of the show will be 10 episodes, it was eventually confirmed that season 2 will actually consist of just 8 episodes. However, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the show's executive producer says the reduced episode count wasn’t a creative call. Writer Sara Hess didn’t comment on the matter but did say: "It wasn't really our choice."

See our House of the Dragon release schedule for full details on how to watch the show. For the full rundown on that tense finale, see our House of the Dragon season 2 ending explained.

House of the Dragon season 2 cast

The Velaryons in House of the Dragon — (Image credit: HBO)

The House of the Dragon season 2 cast is broadly similar to season 1, though there are some newcomers (and notable absences) this time around.

Emma D'Arcy – Rhaenyra Targaryen
Matt Smith – Daemon Targaryen
Harry Collett – Jacaerys "Jace" Velaryon
Eve Best – Rhaenys Targaryen
Steve Toussaint – Corlys Velaryon
Bethany Antonia – Baela Targaryen
Phoebe Campbell – Rhaena Targaryen
Olivia Cooke – Alicent Hightower
Rhys Ifans – Otto Hightower
Freddie Fox – Ser Gwayne Hightower
Tom Glynn-Carney – Aegon Targaryen
Phia Saban – Helaena Targaryen
Ewan Mitchell – Aemond Targaryen
Fabien Frankel – Ser Criston Cole
Matthew Needham – Larys Strong
Simon Russell Beale – Ser Simon Strong
Jefferson Hall – Jason and Tyland Lannister
Gale Rankin – Alys Rivers
Sonoya Mizuno – Mysaria, AKA the White Worm
Abubakar Salim – Alyn of Hull
Tom Taylor – Cregan Stark

House of the Dragon season 2 review: our verdict

Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon — (Image credit: HBO)

Before its release, we saw the first four episodes of House of the Dragon season 2. What did we think? Well, we liked it!

In our four-star review, deputy editor Fay Watson writes: "Navigating a shorter episode count, as well as a different structure to season 1’s time-skipping timeline, House of the Dragon is a different beast this time around, but no less thrilling."

House of the Dragon season 2 plot

Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2 — (Image credit: Sky/HBO)

The season 2 premiere begins with Jace meeting with Cregan Stark at the Wall, securing the support of House Stark before he hears the terrible news that his brother Luke has been murdered by Aemond and Vhagar. Rhaenyra, meanwhile, is understandably heartbroken by her son's death and tells her council that she wants Aemond. Her husband/uncle Daemon decides to take matters into his own hands, and orders a guardsman and a rat catcher known as Blood and Cheese to kill Aemond. They, though, end up murdering the young Jaehaerys, heir to the throne and son of Aegon and Helaena. It's left ambiguous whether this was Daemon's command or not. We're also introduced to a blacksmith named Hugh Hammer.

Episode 2 then sees the fallout of Blood and Cheese's awful murder. An emotional funeral turns the tide of opinion against Rhaenyra, who is horrified to learn what Daemon has done. Daemon leaves for Harrenhal. In the Red Keep, Ser Criston Cole is promoted to Hand of the King while Otto Hightower is demoted and leaves King's Landing, while Criston also sends Ser Arryk to murder Rhaenyra. Mysaria sends warning after spotting Arryk sneaking onto Dragonstone, and his twin brother Erryk fights him to the death, then falls on his own sword in anguish. Meanwhile, we also get confirmation that Daeron Targaryen is out there, and we're introduced to Addam of Hull.

In episode 3, Rhaenyra sends Rhaena away to Pentos with three familiar looking dragon eggs (and one extra). Meanwhile, Daemon begins to have strange visions at Harrenhal, which means Milly Alcock returns as Young Rhaenyra. Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower set off together for war, the concept of dragonseeds are introduced, and, finally, Rhaenyra attempts to find a path to peace with Alicent by sneaking back to King's Landing to visit her. Though Rhaenyra is finally able to set the record straight about that disastrous Aegon the Conqueror misunderstanding on Viserys's deathbed, it's not enough to stop the pending civil war.

The next episode is a big one. Rhaenyra finally agrees to send a dragon to war, and Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys head off to battle over Rook's Rest. They're making short work of Aegon and Sunfyre when Aemond and Vhagar join the fray. Aemond orders Vhagar to dracarys and Aegon and Sunfyre are badly burned, and it's left unclear if they survived or not. Vhagar kills Meleys and Rhaenyra falls to her death. For even more on the episode, check out our spoiler filled breakdown with Aemond actor Ewan Mitchell.

In episode 5, the aftermath of Rook's Rest is felt. Meleys's head is paraded through King's Landing, while Aemond is made Prince Regent over Alicent's objections. Meanwhile, on Team Black, Jacaerys travels to the Twins to win their support for his mother Rhaenyra. When he returns to Dragonstone, the duo put the dragonseed plot into motion when Jace suggests looking to their distant relatives for more dragon riders.

In episode 6, Aemond makes some changes to the small council, removing Alicent from her seat and calling for Otto to be reinstated as Hand. Rhaenyra, meanwhile, is forging ahead with the dragonseeds plot, though it results in the death of one of her Queensguard when Seasmoke refuses to be claimed. Instead, the dragon seeks out Addam of Hull. Rhaena could be getting a dragon of her own, with the discovery of a wild dragon in the Vale, while a ship is prepared to take Rhaenyra's young sons Aegon and Viserys to Pentos. Over in Harrenhal, Daemon is still haunted by visions, which sees Paddy Considine return as King Viserys.

In episode 7, the dragonseeds plot at last gets into full swing. Hugh Hammer is able to claim Vermithor, as it's revealed that he's the bastard son of Saera Targaryen. Ulf, meanwhile, claims Silverwing. Rhaena looks to be closing in on Sheepstealer in the Vale, too. Jacaerys is unhappy about bastards claiming dragons, though, since it might affect his own claim to the Iron Throne (Jace is after all a bastard himself in the eyes of Westerosi law). Over in Harrenhal, Daemon manages to marshal an army, though no one is that impressed by him anymore. In King's Landing, Aegon manages to briefly make it out of bed, while Aemond and Vhagar are forced to flee when they spot how many dragons are now claimed on Dragonstone.

Then the season ended with a finale full of teases. Episode 8 opened with Aemond making war preparations, sending Ser Tyland Lannister to Essos to enlist The Triarchy and their fleets, and also trying to persuade his own sister Helaena to fight. Over at Harrenhal, Daemon managed to build an army at last which he presented to Rhaenyra whilst promising his unsown loyalty. That was after he had a rather vivid Game of Thrones-related vision which saw a bloody war ending with Rhaenyra sitting on the throne, and later a new mother of dragons being born to face a fearsome icy army. Ring a bell? Whilst all of this was happening, it was revealed that Addam and Alyn of Hull are in fact Lord Corlys’ bastard sons, and Rheana managed to find Sheepstealer.

Then in a shocking twist, Alicent showed up at Dragonstone in the middle of the night, asking for her and her daughter’s safety in return for Aegon’s head. The finale ended with the dragonseeds suiting up for war, whilst the Hightower fleet, the Lannister's army, the Stark’s troops, and fleets on both sides, all march on towards Harrenhal where Daemon is waiting. War is coming.

Will there be a House of the Dragon season 3?

Hugh Hammer in House of the Dragon — (Image credit: HBO)

Yes, House of the Dragon has already been renewed for season 3. The latest update came from the show's writers who have said they've already plotted out exactly where the show will go. Season 2 ended on a bit of a cliffhanger with Aemond suiting up for war, Alicent siding with Team Black, and Rhaenyra and her dragonseeds preparing to decent on Vhagar. Multiple armies and fleets on both sides were also seen marching out toward Harrenhall, for what looks to be a bloody battle.

House of the Dragon season 2 exclusive insight

Ahead of season 2, we spoke with showrunner Ryan Condal all about the new episodes. We also spoke to Aemond Targaryen actor Ewan Mitchell about the huge events of episode 4. Check out our pieces from the interviews below:

And that's a wrap on everything you need to know about House of the Dragon season 2. While you wait for more, check out our guide to the best TV shows of all time to fill out your watchlist, or see our deep dives on: