House of the Dragon season 2 comes to its epic conclusion next week, following a surprising penultimate chapter that brought a previously unassuming character to the forefront.

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After Life star Tom Bennett has joined the show in the mysterious role of Ulf, who has long claimed to be of Targaryen blood, but these drunken ramblings were rarely ever taken seriously.

That is, until the events of The Red Sowing, in which he ends up bonded with the dragon Silverwing, which catapults him towards the top of the food chain in the dangerous world of Westeros.

Bennett told The Hollywood Reporter: "Season 1 was the ruling classes, and we spent all our time in castles and on the throne and in council rooms. I think it’s really nice that this season, we get to see the people in Flea Bottom.

"Because Flea Bottom has always been there and a big part of Thrones and Dragon lore. Now we finally get to meet a few genuine Flea Bottomers. I think that can only be good for the season moving forward."

If you can't wait to see what House of the Dragon's season 2 finale has in store, read on for the trailer and full release schedule – including the date and time when episode 8 will drop on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

When is House of the Dragon season 2 episode 8 released?

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 8, the as-yet-untitled season finale, will be released on Monday 5th August 2024 at 2am BST.

The episode will be made available on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

What will happen in House of the Dragon season 2?

Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in House of the Dragon season 2 sitting in a leather chair looking concerned
Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in House of the Dragon season 2. HBO

We know that House of the Dragon season 2 will find Westeros on the brink of a bloody civil war, following the death of King Viserys and the crowning of Prince Aegon, despite Rhaenyra having been officially named as successor.

The final episode of season 1 saw the Green and Black councils forming, in order to fight for King Aegon and Queen Rhaenyra respectively.

At the end of that instalment, Alicent Hightower's son Prince Aemond followed Rhaenyra's son Prince Lucerys Velaryon, both of them on their dragons, Vhagar and Arrax. Vhagar ended up devouring Arrax and Lucerys, to Aemond's apparent shock.

Season 2 is set to pick up soon after this moment, with Rhaenyra and her council looking for swift, bloody vengeance.

In the trailer for season 2, we see Daemon telling Rhaenys that they are going to King's Landing to get Rhaenyra's throne back, while Ser Otto Hightower looks to rally the great houses to the Greens' side.

What follows is plenty of dragon fire, sword fights and explosive action, as we are warned that war if coming.

Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2 sitting in an elaborate chair in a gold chain
Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2. HBO

House of the Dragon writer and executive producer Sara Hess previously told The Hollywood Reporter that season 2 will examine the uncomfortable dynamic between Rhaenyra and her husband/uncle Daemon.

"Right now, we’re writing season 2 and figuring out, what is the nature of his relationship with Rhaenyra? There are many interpretations [in Fire & Blood] to that," she said.

Hess has also teased that the new season will cover the brutal Blood and Cheese storyline from the book A Dance of Dragons, which sees two characters being hired by Daemon and Rhaenyra to carry out a grisly mission against Queen Alicent.

House of the Dragon season 2 release schedule

Emma D'Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in a red and black dress standing on a coastline in House of the Dragon season 2.
Emma D'Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2. HBO

House of the Dragon season 2 will consist of eight episodes, two fewer than season 1. They will release weekly, with the schedule below.

  1. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 1 - A Son for a Son - Monday 17th June 2024 at 2am BST (out now)
  2. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 2 - Rhaenyra The Cruel - Monday 24th June 2024 at 2am BST (out now)
  3. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 3 - The Burning Mill - Monday 1st July 2024 at 2am BST (out now)
  4. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 - The Red Dragon and the Gold - Monday 8th July 2024 at 2am BST (out now)
  5. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 5 - Regent - Monday 15th July 2024 at 2am BST (out now)
  6. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6 - Smallfolk - Monday 22nd July 2024 at 2am BST (out now)
  7. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 7 - The Red Sowing - Monday 29th July 2024 at 2am BST (out now)
  8. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 8 - Season finale (Title TBC) - Monday 5th August 2024 at 2am BST

Who appears in House of the Dragon?

Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon in red, black and gold armour
Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon. HBO

Going into season 2, Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke are firmly installed as the show's leads, playing Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower respectively.

Meanwhile, former Doctor Who star Matt Smith returns as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Rhys Ifans is back as Alicent's father Ser Otto Hightower, and Steve Toussaint and Eve Best return as married couple Lord Corlys Velaryon and the 'Queen Who Never Was', Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.

Other returning stars include Sonoya Mizuno, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Jefferson Hall, Harry Collett, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell and Phia Saban.

Meanwhile, new stars joining for season 2 include Oscar Eskinazi as Rhaenyra's third son Joffrey, Gayle Rankin as rumoured sorceress Alys Rivers, Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong and Freddie Fox as Ser Otto's son, Ser Gwayne.

Other actors joining the cast include Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, Stark Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer, Tom Bennett as Ulf White, Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne, Amanda Collin as Lady Jeyne Arryn, Sam C Wilson as Blood and Mark Stobbart as Cheese.

Read more:

House of the Dragon season 2 will air on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK from 17th June – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV.

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