By Cheryl Eddy Published March 31, 2025 | Comments (0) | Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) in season 2 of House of the Dragon. Ollie Upton/HBO House of the Dragon season three is not expected until next yearbut while we wait, we can start speculating about what to expect when the Dance of the Dragons gets underway in earnest. Today theres some casting news that should thrill fans of George R.R. Martins source-material novel, Fire & Blood: the Winter Wolves are coming! According to an HBO press release announcing the start of production on season three, House of the Dragon has just added Tommy Flanagan as Ser Roderick Dustin and Dan Fogler as Ser Torrhen Manderly; they join the previously announced James Norton as Ormund Hightower. So what does this mean for season three? Dustin, known as Roddy the Ruin, is probably the most exciting casting because hes just a very, very cool character. Hes the leader of the Winter Wolvesan army of 2,000 older Northmen who join forces to support Rhaenyra Targaryens Team Black during the civil war, aka the Dance of the Dragons. Older is key because these guys are riding to fight to the death; in keeping with Northern traditions, theyve volunteered for battle so that the younger generation can survive and thrive back in their frozen homeland. And, in fact, many of the Winter Wolves end up dyingbut not without taking tons of Team Green soldiers with them, including a bunch of those pesky Lannisters to avoid them providing support during the Greens attempted assault on Harrenhal, a key setting in House of the Dragon season two. No spoilers if you havent read the book, but suffice to say Roddy the Ruin is around for some memorable deaths and betrayals, as well as some badassery even after losing one of his arms. The other two new characters are more spoilery to discuss, but Sir Torrhen Manderly plays a key role in the aftermath of the Dance of the Dragonsand if Ormund Hightowers name is familiar, thats because hes Ottos nephew, and is a general wholl factor into the battles well see in season three.The returning cast includes Matt Smith, Emma DArcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, and Abubakar Salim. No word yet on when we can expect to see their characters (and respective dragons) back on the battlefield, but 2026 would seemingly be the absolute earliest. Additional reporting by James Whitbrook. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like James Whitbrook and Gordon Jackson Published March 11, 2025 By Cheryl Eddy Published March 10, 2025 By Justin Carter Published March 8, 2025 By James Whitbrook Published February 19, 2025 By Cheryl Eddy Published February 3, 2025 James Whitbrook and Gordon Jackson Published February 3, 2025