WARNING: Spoilers ahead for the House Of The Dragon season three finale Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy KIRSTEN MURRAY, SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER Published: 09:11 BST, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 09:31 BST, 10 August 2026
House Of The Dragon concluded in an epic Battle of Tumbleton as fans sat gripped for the season three finale on Sunday night. A prequel to HBO smash-hit Game Of Thrones, the fantasy series first hit screens back in 2022.And after an eight episode run, fans were left shocked one major character in particular was killed off in a tragic twist. Helaena Targaryen, played by Phia Saban, tragically died during the final episode as she took her own life – jumping from her window in the Red Keep. Choosing to end her life, the pregnant Helaena sees death as the only way to free herself from a life as Rhaenyra's prisoner. The end of the episode sees Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) discover Helaena's suicide after fans observed her sinking into a deep depression over the course of the series after being secluded from her young daughter Jaehaera. House Of The Dragon season three finale saw Helaena Targaryen (pictured) take her own life in a tragic twist The end of the episode sees Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy, pictured) discover Helaena's suicide after fans observed her sinking into a deep depression Helaena left behind the final piece of a tapestry she had been embroidering for Rhaenyra to find – which showed Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne surrounded by dragon flames with blood streaming down from her crown. Speaking about the tragic scene, Phia told Variety: 'It’s a tragedy. That’s definitely the arc of Helaena’s story.'But I think, as she says earlier, "This is my body, and this is my baby — and both of those things have been forsaken as long as I’ve lived." 'And she doesn’t want to live the way she’s living anymore, and she feels that she wants to protect the children that she does have. She’s just trying her best.'Fans took to Twitter to share their outpouring of emotion following her death. They penned: 'The greatest scene in the history of House of Dragon: the moment Rhaenyra and Illust realize Helena is dead;'Helaena’s de@th is really heartbreaking, but it’s not entirely Rhaenyra’s fault.'She just wanted her to eat, but maybe she pushed her too hard, and her dragon dreams had already made her unstable. It hurts even more knowing she was with child'; House Of The Dragon concluded in an epic Battle of Tumbleton as fans sat gripped for the season three finale on Sunday night Choosing to end her life, the pregnant Helaena sees death as the only way to free herself from a life as Rhaenyra's prisoner Fans took to Twitter to share their outpouring of emotion following her death'House of the Dragon was incredible and emotional. Helaena Targaryen is finally free from her prison. This world didn't deserve her. 'She can finally be on the farm with her chickens and her children. Helaena was an innocent born into a family that didn't understand her.'Elsewhere Ormund Hightower (James Norton) also met his end after he was killed by a dragon in the Battle of Tumbleton. Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan) was engulfed in Silverwing's dragonfire after dealing an incapacitating blow to Ormund. Kat's (Ellora Torchia) death wasn't shown, however Hugh was left screaming in anguish after finding her body looking lifeless.
