House of the Dragon season 4 gets disappointing production update ahead of return

House of the Dragon star Olivia Cooke has confirmed what we feared – we're in for a long wait for season 4.

The actress, who plays Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower, revealed that the final instalment of the Game of Thrones spin-off isn't set to start filming until next spring.

When asked by ScreenRant about whether she had started preparing, she responded: "I haven't. I haven't. We start filming next spring, but I don't really know. I'm sure it'll take me ages. You know, I'm English. My emotions are far, far deep down. [...] you know a year later that I'll finally feel the grief from that show ending."

From that timeline, we can predict that season 4 won't arrive on screens until at least mid-2028.

Of course, Thrones fans have had to learn to be patient over the years, but it doesn't mean it'll be an easy wait for the conclusion to the Dance of Dragons.

In season 3, the show explored the complex dynamic between Alicent and Queen Rhaneyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), whose lives have been inextricably linked since they were children.

Speaking exclusively to Radio Times ahead of last season, Cooke explained that the relationship "feels really strained."

She added: "The power dynamic has completely flipped, and we do see a lot more of them together, but it's a new world for both of them. It's an interesting alchemy."

Meanwhile, the season 3 finale saw Alicent suffer a devastating loss in the form of her daughter, Helaena (Phia Saban).

Season 4 is expected to show the brutal aftermath of that loss, as well as other key events from George RR Martin's Fire & Blood, including the Battle Above the God's Eye, the Second Battle of Tumbleton, and the Storming of the Dragonpit.

Previously speaking to Radio Times, showrunner Ryan Condal admitted he had some fears "lurking" about finishing the show.

Speaking ahead of season 2, he said: "Everybody by that point, many years on down the road, are going to have their own idea of where the show should and/or what it should be.

"And you can't satisfy all of those very specific ideas. You can't give them what they want. You have to give them the thing that they need. And that's our challenge as adapters, and, you know, I'm willing to take it on - but yes, it is... that lurks in the back of my mind, for sure."

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Authors

Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.