The news came from Cooke herself during an interview with ScreenRant while promoting the third season of her Apple TV+ series, Slow Horses. When asked about her feelings regarding the eventual end of House of the Dragon, the actress indicated that filming for what the source describes as the "fourth and last season" is not set to commence until "next spring." This timeline effectively rules out a 2027 release for the finale, suggesting fans will be waiting until at least 2028, if not later.
The revelation provides a clearer, albeit delayed, picture for viewers following the tumultuous events in Westeros. With House of the Dragon Season 2 slated to premiere in June 2024, the gap between seasons is already a point of discussion among fans. If the show indeed follows a four-season arc, as implied by the report, then a Season 3 would likely air in 2026 or 2027, followed by the final Season 4 in 2028 or beyond, aligning with Cooke's statement.
Cooke, reflecting on the show's eventual end, shared a glimpse into her personal processing of the series' conclusion. "We start filming in the spring, so I don't know yet," she told ScreenRant, adding, "I think it's going to take me some time. I'm English, you know. I'm very reserved with my emotions. I'll feel the grief about a year after the series ends." Her candid remarks suggest that even for the cast, the full weight of the show's ending is yet to settle in.
While the wait for the House of the Dragon finale lengthens, the Game of Thrones universe is not entirely without new content. Another prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on George R.R. Martin's "Dunk and Egg" novellas, is reportedly aiming for a 2027 premiere. This spin-off, set approximately a century after the events of House of the Dragon and a century before Game of Thrones, offers a different chapter from Westeros' rich history, potentially tiding fans over during the extended wait for the conclusion of the Dance of the Dragons. All Game of Thrones series are exclusively available on HBO Max.