House of the Dragon Season 3: Roddy the Ruin Steals the Show as Stark Stand-In

by

2026 will find me eagerly awaiting the third season of House of the Dragon, where I’ll witness the long-anticipated battles of the Dance of Dragons. In this conflict, forces aligned with House Stark, from Westeros’ North, will take a stand. The second season of House of the Dragon introduced Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor), then young Lord of Winterfell amidst House Targaryen’s civil war. The Black Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) dispatches her son Jacaerys (Harry Collett) to seek aid from the Starks; their bond forms, and Cregan pledges whatever military support he can muster.

In Season 2 of House of the Dragon, the focus shifted away from Cregan and Jace to bring Jace back to Dragonstone, primarily dealing with the repercussions of Rhaenyra’s second son Lucerys’ (Elliot Grihault) death and her process of assembling an army by enlisting the Dragonseeds. A point of contention among viewers is that many battles in this Westerosi war were delayed in the second season, with most armies not actively engaging until the end of House of the Dragon Season 2. However, House of the Dragon Season 3 will resume with some of the largest conflicts, involving the North prominently.

House Stark May Not Appear In House Of The Dragon Season 3

The North Is Already In The Dance Of Dragons, But The Starks Are Still Holding Back

In Season 2, Cregan Stark doesn’t join the marches south during the Dance of Dragons right away. He hints at House Stark’s continuous duty of guarding Westeros’ northern frontier, implying that his available military strength is constrained. Instead, he deploys a force known as the Winter Wolves to support Rhaenyra and the Blacks in some of the most significant battles of this conflict. According to “Fire & Blood,” Cregan had written to Rhaenyra promising further reinforcements following her loss of King’s Landing.

Essentially, what Cregan did was establish order and put a stop to the turmoil, as most of the significant figures involved, such as Rhaenyra and King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), had already perished by the time he acted.

During what’s called the Hour of the Wolf, Cregan seized power over the Red Keep and held talks with other lords about who would face punishment and who would lead. As a result, Cregan was appointed as the Hand of the King to Rhaenyra’s son, King Aegon III. It’s also during this period that he met his second wife, Alysanne Blackwood. However, in the chronology of the Dance of Dragons, much more is expected to unfold across House of the Dragon‘s third season, and it seems likely that Cregan won’t make a significant appearance until these events occur in the fourth season.

Who Is Roderick Dustin? The North’s Leader In House Of The Dragon Season 3 Explained

“Roddy The Ruin” Is Essentially Our Stark Character This Season

In the initial stages, the Winter Wolves dispatched by Cregan to aid Rhaenyra are primarily older men from the North, with Roderick Dustin at their helm, also recognized as “Roddy the Ruin.” It has been revealed that Tommy Flanagan, known for his role in Sons of Anarchy, will portray this character in House of the Dragon’s third season. Roddy the Ruin, despite being in his later years, remains a formidable warrior from the North and is certain to add an intriguing dynamic to the upcoming season as the head of House Dustin, a noble house under House Stark, with their stronghold situated in Barrowtown.

2,000 Winter Wolves migrate south, forming the temporary force seen in the finale of House of the Dragon’s second season. They join the Battle by the Lakeshore, and it’s Dustin who initiates the charge that triggers the Butcher’s Ball. In this battle, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) is killed early on, while many Winter Wolves perish. Eventually, Lord Dustin meets his end at the First Battle of Tumbleton. Given these events, it seems probable that Roddy the Ruin will be a short-lived character in season 3, serving as a temporary replacement until Cregan returns to action.

Roddy The Ruin Is One Of The Most Exciting Additions To Season 3

Flanagan Will Continue To Portray The Mythos Of The North From Game Of Thrones

Despite his limited screen time on “House of the Dragon”, the skilled and captivating Tommy Flanagan is poised to deliver an outstanding performance. His background in neo-Western roles could be ideal for portraying a seasoned, older warrior figure, who brings a raw yet resilient viewpoint to the conflict. Many of the characters driving the Dance of Dragons are relatively young, with their elders commenting on the consequences of their actions in various ways.

In the series, House Stark has always appeared indifferent towards Southern affairs, whether it’s in this show or “Game of Thrones”. Characters from this house typically demonstrate a more reserved wisdom, but Lord Dustin, at least, shows enthusiasm for participating in this conflict. As Roddy the Ruin approaches, the third season of “House of the Dragon” promises to be even more intriguing, with an actor who could potentially bring a fresh perspective on everything, delivering what’s sure to be a captivating performance.

Read More

2025-04-21 22:19