As filming began on the highly anticipated season 3 of House of the Dragon, the latest leaks from the set have sparked intense speculation. From the return to Westeros of hidden characters believed to be dead to the appearance of allies from the North and military encampments, these leaks offer a tantalizing glimpse of the conflict to come.
Photos from the set reveal surviving dragons and familiar locations
The unexpected return of Sunfyre
Images taken by a drone at Hankley Common show a large dragon lair and extras dressed as soldiers being attacked by a huge fire-breathing creature. Confirming theories among knowledgeable fans, Sunfyre, Aegon II's dragon presumed dead after Rook's Rest, is indeed back. These leaked scenes suggest a spectacular rescue or revenge for this iconic dragon.
The rebirth of familiar locations in Westeros
Other images reveal reconstructions of Harrenhal and Driftmark Harbor, already seen in previous seasons. Production designer Jim Clay has built vast sets at Leavesden Studios and in Spain, recreating key locations where the war between the Greens and the Blacks will intensify.
New cast members spotted on set: the Northern houses take center stage
Rodderick Dustin and Torrhen Manderly in the North
Activity on the sets in the wooded areas suggests that scenes dedicated to the Dustin and Manderly houses are being filmed. Presumed sightings confirm the presence on set of the actors playing Ser Roderick “Roddy the Ruin” Dustin and Ser Torrhen Manderly. These Northern elements mark a geographical and strategic shift in the Targaryen civil war.
Ormund Hightower's war camp
From leaked images showing tents, banners, and cavalry drills, fans have identified a large military camp that matches the plotline of Lord Ormund Hightower. The layout appears to be prepared for a large battle sequence, likely related to the Battle of Gozier.
Fan vocabulary expands thanks to leaked details
“Timeline leak” and “character resurrection”
The unexpected visual proof of Sunfyre's survival has sparked discussions about a “timeline leak,” i.e., how the series might correct or reverse previous narrative assumptions. Fans are talking about the resurrection of missing characters, which would mean that the series would follow the timeline of George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood.
“Secret alliance” and “northern coalition”
Leaks about Dustin and Manderly's camps in season 3 are fueling theories about the formation of a south-north alliance against King's Landing. Terms such as “northern coalition” and “Blackwood diplomacy” are circulating, suggesting political complexity that goes beyond the dissident factions of the Targaryens.
Tensions between showrunners and on set: the creative context
The well-known disagreements between Condal and GRRM
Behind the scenes, showrunner Ryan Condal has publicly acknowledged creative disagreements with George R.R. Martin, particularly regarding narrative changes in season 3 and beyond. Martin's criticism of these differences, which he has described as a “toxic butterfly effect,” echoes fans' concerns about changes to story arcs and the disappearance of certain characters.
Filming intensifies in spring 2025
Principal photography officially began in March 2025 at Leavesden Studios, with extensive location shooting in the UK and Spain. The scale of the sets, the reconstruction of the dragon lairs, and the large cast suggest that this season will be the most ambitious yet, setting the stage for a cinematic war spectacle.
Actors respond to fan theories
The actors deny and tease the wildest rumors
In recent interviews, the actors responded to several fan theories: no romance between Alicent and Rhaenyra, no three-eyed raven transformation for Daemon, and speculation about the maesters manipulating events. The actors have dismissed these theories as entertaining speculation, but have emphasized that season 3 will bring “massive bloodshed” and ideological upheaval.
How leaks have influenced expectations for the narrative arc
The war quickly descends into chaos
Leaks about battle camps, reinforcements from the north, and dragon activity confirm the showrunner's hints that the war “will escalate very quickly.” Fans are expecting a condensed and brutal civil war sequence, particularly around the Gullet and Harrenhal. The presence of Black Aly and Ormund Hightower reinforces this hypothesis.
The return of a key character beloved by fans
The reappearance of Sunfyre, both in leaked images and in descriptions of the script, resonates with readers of the books. His survival suggests a thematic link to Aegon and the resilience of the legendary dragons. Visual confirmation of his scenes reinforces theories about a final, symbolic confrontation.
Will beloved characters survive the script changes?
Helaena's fate in the spotlight
George R.R. Martin revealed in a now-deleted blog post his dissatisfaction with how the series handles the death of Helaena Targaryen: in the synopsis, she commits suicide without the triggering trauma present in the novel. Fans are wondering if the series will be changed to include Maelor's story or if new twists will be added to heighten the emotion.
Missing characters and cameos
Filming reports show Alysanne “Black Aly” Blackwood in several scenes, hinting at an important role in the Riverlands storyline. Meanwhile, leaked script code suggests that secondary characters such as Daeron Targaryen may appear despite hints that they had been cut, suggesting that the series could still be changed during production. (His presence is confirmed by the actor himself, as well as images from the set showing him with Daemon.
Conclusion: filming leaks fuel fan theories
The latest leaks from the set of season 3 of House of the Dragon are more than just fueling curiosity: they're shaping expectations. From the return of dragons and northern alliances to the revelation of new characters and creative tensions off-camera, fans are now mapping out the narrative arc of the coming war in real time. Whether these glimpses reflect the canon of the final season or early script changes, they have already rewritten fan discourse around the final pages of House Targaryen.
Expect more leaks, speculation, and a mosaic of theories woven from every filming location and cameo reveal. The Gullet awaits.