Ormund’s confounding invasion of Tumbleton forces Rhaenyra into a corner. Daemon’s loyalties are tested as Aegon and Larys must find a way to survive the ever-present dangers on the road. In the Riverlands, Coles sets on a course from which there is no return, and Alicent’s situation in the Red Keep becomes more dire.

The Game Changes Again

Week by week, House of the Dragon continues to deepen its political intrigue, and following the introspective drama of ‘Rhaenyra Triumphant’, Episode Four shifts the balance of power once again.

Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) finds herself surrounded by increasingly dangerous forces within King’s Landing. The whispers of dissent grow louder as both the Faith and the smallfolk begin questioning her legitimacy, threatening to undermine her authority before her reign has truly begun. Victory may have secured the throne, but holding it proves an altogether more difficult challenge.

Beyond the capital, an even greater threat quietly gathers strength. Lord Ormund Hightower has established himself within the strategically vital town of Tumbleton, and with careful patience finally unveils the greatest card in his hand, Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), Alicent Hightower’s youngest son, hidden away under Ormund’s guardianship since childhood.

It is a revelation that dramatically reshapes the political landscape and reminds audiences that the Greens are far from defeated.

Lord Ormund Steps Into The Spotlight

‘Tumbleton’ belongs to James Norton.

While earlier episodes hinted at Ormund’s ambitions, Episode Four finally allows Norton to fully inhabit one of the series’ most compelling new antagonists. Cultured, intelligent and supremely confident, Ormund projects refinement on the surface, yet beneath that polished exterior lies a deeply volatile man whose pride and sense of superiority erupt with terrifying consequences whenever challenged.

Norton crafts a wonderfully Machiavellian figure; a strategist every bit as dangerous as Otto Hightower before him, yet considerably more unpredictable.

Equally fascinating is his deeply unsettling relationship with Daeron Targaryen. Raised entirely under Ormund’s influence, Daeron has grown into a young man who simultaneously reveres and fears his guardian. Their dynamic carries an uncomfortable emotional weight, portraying a lifetime of manipulation disguised as paternal affection.

As Ormund’s long game begins taking shape, audiences quickly realise he is every bit a student of the Game of Thrones. His brutal philosophy of justice, rooted firmly in vengeance and retribution, fuels some of the episode’s most shocking acts of violence and establishes him as one of the season’s most dangerous players.

A Fallen King’s Humiliation

While Ormund rises, King Aegon II Targaryen continues his long and painful descent.

Now horrifically scarred and physically broken, Tom Glynn-Carney’s fallen king wanders the ruins of Rook’s Rest alongside the ever-calculating Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), reduced to little more than a shadow of the man who once wore the crown.

Claire Kilner uses these sequences to powerful effect, illustrating how quickly power can disappear within Westeros. Aegon’s suffering strips away every illusion of royal privilege, leaving audiences to witness the brutal consequences of ambition when fate turns against its chosen ruler.

Shadows Over Harrenhal

‘Tumbleton’ also returns audiences to Harrenhal, where Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) and the battered Green host arrive expecting to find Prince Aemond Targaryen waiting for them.

Instead, Harrenhal stands eerily empty.

Their only welcome comes from the enigmatic Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), whose cryptic guidance offers few answers while quietly steering Criston toward an altogether darker purpose.

Ever since the catastrophe at Rook’s Rest, Criston has become consumed by nihilism. His belief in glory has evaporated, replaced by bitterness and resignation. Frankel delivers perhaps his strongest material yet as Cole embraces increasingly ruthless methods, abandoning conventional warfare in favour of brutal guerrilla tactics designed to bleed the Riverlords dry.It is the portrait of a man who has lost faith in everything except destruction.

Dangerous Truths

Meanwhile, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) journeys into the Vale, where an unexpected revelation concerning the Battle of the Gullet forces him to confront uncomfortable truths.

What he learns fundamentally reshapes his understanding of the war and compels him to question where his loyalties truly lie. It is a quietly powerful character moment that suggests Daemon’s greatest battle may no longer be fought with dragonfire or Valyrian steel, but within his own conscience.

Smith once again brings tremendous gravitas to the role, allowing subtle emotional conflict to simmer beneath Daemon’s famously stoic exterior.

Final Verdict: Rearranging The Board

‘Tumbleton’ carefully resets the board for the next phase of House of the Dragon. While it lacks the explosive spectacle of earlier episodes, it more than compensates through razor-sharp political manoeuvring, outstanding performances and an ever-present sense of impending catastrophe.

Most importantly, the episode reminds audiences never to become too comfortable. Just when victory appears secure, the balance of power shifts once more.

With the Hightowers finally ready to unleash their own fire upon Westeros, the Dance of the Dragons is entering an even darker and more unpredictable chapter.

House of the Dragon is streaming now on HBO MAX.

Image: HBO MAX

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Unable to locate her enemies and facing demands from all sides, Rhaenyra learns King’s Landing isn’t what she anticipated.

The Burden Of Victory

Fire and blood may have delivered Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) the Iron Throne and the right to rule Westeros, but governing an entire kingdom proves to be another challenge entirely.

In ‘Rhaenyra Triumphant’, director Clare Kilner follows the explosive drama of ‘Queen’s Landing’ with an episode that intentionally slows the pace, exchanging dragonfire for political manoeuvring and battlefield spectacle for the exhausting realities of leadership. It is precisely the change of pace the season needs.

Rather than glorifying absolute power, Kilner strips away every illusion surrounding the Iron Throne. Ruling is shown to be a relentless exercise in bureaucracy, diplomacy and compromise, where every decision creates three more problems waiting to be solved. It is a bold creative choice that allows audiences to experience the suffocating weight of the crown alongside Rhaenyra herself.

The Reality Of The Iron Throne

Forget lavish feasts and triumphant celebrations. Instead, Rhaenyra finds herself buried beneath endless petitions from every corner of the realm.

From the noble houses to the desperate citizens of Flea Bottom, everyone demands the Queen’s attention. The royal treasury is all but empty, King’s Landing remains deeply fractured, and even those sworn to serve her cannot be entirely trusted. Victory may have ended the war for the throne, but it has only begun the struggle to govern.

Even her closest allies begin revealing ambitions of their own. With the conflict seemingly over, old loyalties quickly give way to personal gain, and every conversation carries an undercurrent of manipulation.

Kilner embraces this bureaucratic nightmare, giving the episode a uniquely grounded perspective that explores the true cost of power. It offers one of the freshest examinations of kingship the series has delivered, revealing that the Iron Throne is as much a prison as it is a prize.

A Queen’s Perspective

One of the episode’s greatest strengths is its unwavering commitment to Rhaenyra’s point of view.

Kilner presents the Queen not simply as a ruler, but as a woman navigating extraordinary expectations while carrying immense personal grief. Still mourning the death of her son Jacaerys, Rhaenyra must simultaneously endure the relentless demands of court, political infighting and the physical toll of her own body, all while projecting unwavering strength before an entire kingdom.

Emma D’Arcy delivers another remarkable performance, capturing Rhaenyra’s quiet exhaustion, simmering frustration and lingering heartbreak with extraordinary nuance. Their performance constantly shifts between resilience and vulnerability, reminding audiences that beneath the crown remains a grieving mother who was never truly prepared for the impossible responsibility now resting upon her shoulders.

Friends, Foes And Hidden Agendas

Themes of loyalty, deception and political opportunism dominate ‘Rhaenyra Triumphant’.

Viewed entirely through Rhaenyra’s perspective, familiar faces suddenly reveal unexpected motivations. It is one thing to unite behind a cause and fight for a throne; it is another altogether when victory has been achieved and everyone expects to be rewarded.

Old allies become increasingly demanding, new rivalries emerge, and every interaction leaves Rhaenyra questioning whom she can truly trust. The episode quietly but effectively stirs the political pot, laying the foundations for the conflicts still to come.

Strange Alliances And Dark Humour

Despite its political focus, ‘Rhaenyra Triumphant’ still finds room for several unforgettable moments.

Chief among them is the grotesque “Rat Banquet”, an unsettling sequence certain to leave audiences squirming. It also introduces the arrogantly boorish Ser Torrhen Manderly (Dan Fogler), whose complete lack of refinement immediately earns Rhaenyra’s contempt. Yet despite his abrasive personality, he proves too valuable to dismiss outright.

Elsewhere, tensions reach boiling point in a gripping confrontation between Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton). Daemon demands surrender, forcing Ormund into the humiliating position of sending his nephew, Prince Daeron Targaryen, and Daemon’s own cousin, to King’s Landing as a hostage. It is another fascinating political development that promises significant ramifications for the episodes ahead.

Final Verdict: The Calm Before The Storm

Across its taut 57-minute runtime, ‘Rhaenyra Triumphant’ keeps audiences completely engaged despite its deliberate lack of large-scale action. Instead, the suspense comes through whispered conversations, political calculations and carefully concealed secrets.

When those secrets are finally revealed, they land with genuine shock, reminding audiences that while Rhaenyra may now occupy the Iron Throne, victory belongs to no single claimant.

The Dance of the Dragons is far from over, and if this episode proves anything, it is that the greatest battles still lie ahead.

House of the Dragon is streaming now on HBO MAX.

Image: HBO MAX

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As Alicent risks everything to fulfil her end of the bargain, Rhaenyra must decide whether the Iron Throne is worth the cost.

A Queen’s Grief

Picking up only hours after the savage and unrelenting Battle of the Gullet, ‘Queen’s Landing’ finds Queen Rhaenyra victorious, but at an unimaginable price. The death of her eldest son and heir, Jacaerys Velaryon, leaves the Queen utterly broken, and Episode Two wastes no time confronting audiences with the devastating emotional fallout.

Emma D’Arcy delivers one of the finest performances of the series to date. Cradling the lifeless body of her son, Rhaenyra is consumed by grief, disbelief and fury, and D’Arcy portrays every emotion with heartbreaking authenticity. It is a scene that lingers long after the credits roll, with the rawness of a mother’s anguish washing completely over the audience. It is an extraordinary display of emotional vulnerability and once again cements D’Arcy as one of the series’ greatest strengths.

The Road To King’s Landing

Despite her crushing loss, victory at the Gullet has opened the path to the Iron Throne.

Driven forward by her ruthlessly ambitious husband, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), and with news that Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) has departed for Harrenhal aboard Vhagar, Rhaenyra finally makes her move on King’s Landing. Watching Rhaenyra, Daemon and the Dragonseeds soar across the skies atop their dragons is nothing short of breathtaking, delivering one of the series’ most visually spectacular moments to date.

Yet while the destination is clear, the politics remain anything but. Rhaenyra’s judgement is clouded by grief, and those closest to her each believe they know what course she should take. Daemon’s increasingly ruthless ambitions clash with the counsel of Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), the White Worm, whose influence over the Queen continues to grow. Their competing visions create another compelling layer of tension as Rhaenyra edges ever closer to ultimate power.

A City Ready To Break

Juxtaposed against Rhaenyra’s march is the growing desperation within King’s Landing itself.

Queen Dowager Alicent Hightower finds her carefully orchestrated plans collapsing around her. The peaceful surrender she hoped to broker with Rhaenyra now hangs by a thread as she struggles to contain the volatile impulses of Prince Aemond, while the capital’s political elite refuse to surrender without resistance. Their fury eventually boils over into a shocking sequence that leaves the future of King’s Landing hanging by its fingertips.

‘Queens Landing’ also introduces another significant player in the unfolding conflict: Ser Luthor Largent (Tom Cullen), commander of the City Watch and leader of the infamous Gold Cloaks. Cullen makes an immediate impression, and it’s clear his arrival will have major consequences as the Dance of the Dragons continues.

Brothers Of Fire And Blood

For all its political manoeuvring, ‘Queen’s Landing’ never forgets that war has truly begun.

Both Prince Daemon and Prince Aemond unleash their own brands of brutality, with blades drawn and blood spilled across Westeros. Though separated by geography, the episode cleverly positions them as reflections of one another — two fearless, volatile warriors whose ambition and violence threaten to consume everything around them.

Every confrontation only heightens anticipation for the inevitable clash between these two legendary Targaryen princes, and the prospect of seeing them finally cross swords becomes almost unbearable.

Final Verdict: The Weight Of The Iron Throne

Everything ultimately leads to Rhaenyra’s arrival at the Iron Throne itself, and it is here that ‘Queen’s Landing’ delivers its greatest surprise.

A shocking reappearance catches both Rhaenyra and the audience completely off guard, forcing the Queen into a decision that will define her reign. In that singular moment, she discovers the terrible truth that every ruler of Westeros must eventually face: the Iron Throne demands blood.

Choosing power over mercy, Rhaenyra finally asserts herself as the rightful heir through the edge of a Valyrian steel blade. As the episode closes, the first unmistakable signs of Targaryen madness begin to surface, and the intoxicating burden of absolute power settles firmly upon her shoulders.

House of the Dragon continues to prove why it remains television’s premier fantasy epic, with ‘Queen’s Landing’ delivering an emotionally devastating, politically charged and thoroughly gripping second chapter that raises the stakes even higher for the war to come.

House of the Dragon is streaming now on HBO MAX.

Image: HBO MAX

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Driven by her faith in Alicent, Rhaenyra positions herself to take King’s Landing while the Triarchy sails to take on Corlys in the Gullet.

The Dance of the Dragons Rages

Season Two ended on a staggering cliffhanger, with war finally ready to ravage the Seven Kingdoms as the Greens and the Blacks vied for ultimate supremacy. Episode One wastes no time picking up from that tantalising finale. War has arrived in Westeros, and only bloodshed will suffice.

Condal and director Loni Peristere lead audiences directly into the flames, but they do so with remarkable restraint. While war looms on every horizon, they refuse to rush the story forward. Instead, they patiently position every piece on the board, building tension with deliberate precision. The result is an episode brimming with suspense, anguish, shock and anticipation, all of which combine to create what may be the most memorable season opener the series has delivered thus far.

A Kingdom Splintering From Within

Balancing multiple narrative threads and shifting points of view, ‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’ thrives on dramatic tension. Audiences will find themselves watching with bated breath as every faction edges closer to catastrophe.

The episode opens with Phoebe Campbell’s Lady Rhaena Targaryen finally claiming a dragon of her own in the fearsome Sheepstealer, and from there the tension only escalates. King Aegon II Targaryen’s (Tom Glynn-Carney) escape from King’s Landing alongside the slippery and manipulative Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) has left the Greens facing a dangerous power vacuum. One that the cunning and brutal Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) is all too eager to fill.

His sudden claim over the Iron Throne completely derails Queen Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) hopes of negotiating peace with Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), and the fragile prospect of reconciliation quickly burns away.

Away from the chaos of King’s Landing, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) wages war at the Red Fork, putting the Lannister host to the sword, while Ser Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel) and Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) continue their relentless campaign through the Riverlands.

A growing sense of unease permeates every frame of ‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’. As blood is spilled and battle lines harden, both the Greens and the Blacks begin to fracture under the weight of their ambitions. This instability keeps audiences constantly off-balance. Just when you think you understand where the story is heading, Condal and Peristere pull the rug out from underneath you.

New Players Enter The Game

‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’ also serves as an impressive introduction to several key new players who immediately leave their mark on the conflict.

Chief among them is Lord Ormund Hightower, ruler of Oldtown and one of the most powerful men in Westeros. Portrayed with commanding presence by James Norton, Ormund arrives ready to unleash the full might of House Hightower against the Blacks. Wealthy, intelligent and dangerously ambitious, Norton plays him as a volatile strategist whose charisma is matched only by his callous ruthlessness and opulent narcissim.

Equally memorable is Tommy Flanagan’s introduction as Roderick Dustin, better known as Roddy the Ruin. The Lord of Barrowton and commander of the Winter Wolves arrives as a ferocious northern warrior determined to spend his remaining days fighting and dying in service to Queen Rhaenyra. Flanagan brings immense presence to the role, immediately establishing Roddy as a fan favourite.

Family, Fury And Uncomfortable Truths

Among the many escalating tensions of ‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’, some of the most compelling arise from the fractured family dynamics at the heart of the story.

Ewan Mitchell’s vindictive and power-hungry Aemond Targaryen now sits firmly in control of King’s Landing, and his increasingly volatile behaviour leads to a heated confrontation with Alicent. What follows delivers one of the episode’s most shocking moments between the two of them, revealing a deeply unsettling side of Aemond that will leave audiences recoiling.

Counterbalancing this is Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), whose own rebellious streak places him at odds with Queen Rhaenyra. Their confrontation sparks a major revelation and sets in motion consequences that will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the season.

The Battle Of The Gullet Arrives In Spectacular Fashion

Everything in ‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’ ultimately builds towards the long-awaited Battle of the Gullet, one of the most famous conflicts in Westerosi history.

The battle sees Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), the legendary Sea Snake, locked in a brutal naval conflict with the ruthless Admiral Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn). The result is a staggering piece of television spectacle that ranks among the most ambitious action sequences ever attempted within the Game of Thrones franchise.

Spanning nearly thirty minutes, the battle is a breathtaking display of chaos and carnage. Blood mixes with seawater, ships splinter apart, and bodies crash across burning decks as Corlys and Lohar wage war with relentless fury. Toussaint and Thorn are exceptional throughout, delivering commanding performances amid the destruction.

Add dragonfire, shocking twists and devastating losses into the mix, and the Battle of the Gullet becomes an unforgettable centrepiece that will leave audiences utterly exhilarated.

Verdict: Fire and Blood Reigns

‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’ is a thunderous opening salvo for Season Three of House of the Dragon. Running just over 72 minutes, it feels less like a television episode and more like a major event. By the time the smoke clears and the fires begin to fade, the true cost of this war is finally revealed.

And in the battle for fire and blood, no one is spared.

House of the Dragon is now streaming on HBO MAX.

Image: HBO MAX.

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With the Blacks and Greens now locked in a brutal struggle for power, the battle for the Iron Throne is set to consume the Seven Kingdoms in a devastating conflict that promises fire, blood, and unimaginable consequences. Season Three is shaping up to be the most ambitious chapter yet, plunging audiences deeper into the political intrigue, shifting alliances, and all-out warfare that define George R.R. Martin’s richly imagined world.

The arrival of the new season also coincides with the launch of HBO Max in New Zealand, a milestone made even more exciting by the arrival of House of the Dragon star Steve Toussaint. Best known for his commanding performance as Lord Corlys Velaryon, the legendary Sea Snake and Lord of the Tides, Toussaint journeyed to Auckland to help celebrate the launch, bringing a touch of Westeros to Kiwi shores.

We were fortunate enough to sit down with Steve to discuss everything that awaits fans in Season Three, and the result was a fascinating conversation packed with insight, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for the craft of storytelling.

Check out our full interview below:

During our discussion, Steve reflected on the immense scale of the upcoming season, including the much-anticipated Battle of the Gullet, one of the most significant events in the lore of Westeros. From the physical preparation required to bring such a monumental conflict to life, to the extraordinary level of detail that goes into the series’ world-building, Steve offered a compelling look behind the curtain of one of television’s most ambitious productions.
The conversation also explored the enduring appeal of fantasy storytelling, the responsibility of portraying a character as beloved and formidable as Corlys Velaryon, and the values embodied by House Velaryon and its proud words: “The Old, the True, the Brave.”

Throughout it all, Steve proved himself every bit as engaging off-screen as he is on it, offering thoughtful reflections on the series, the character, and the creative process that has helped make House of the Dragon a global phenomenon.

The launch of HBO Max in New Zealand marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for local audiences, bringing with it an extraordinary catalogue of premium entertainment led by the return of one of television’s most talked-about series.

House of the Dragon Season Three premieres on HBO Max on Monday, 22 June, promising breathtaking spectacle, ruthless political manoeuvring, devastating conflict, and enough fire and blood to satisfy even the most devoted fans of Westeros.

Winter has already come to Aotearoa New Zealand, but the Dance of the Dragons is about to ignite in spectacular fashion.

Learn more about HBO MAX here.

Image: HBO MAX

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HBO Max has officially launched in New Zealand, opening the doors to one of the most celebrated libraries of film and television ever assembled. From the blood-soaked battlefields of Westeros to the halls of Hogwarts, and from award-winning prestige dramas to blockbuster cinematic spectacles, Kiwi audiences now have a new streaming destination to call home.

The launch comes at a particularly exciting time for fans, with HBO Max becoming the exclusive New Zealand home of some of the world’s most talked-about entertainment. Leading the charge is the highly anticipated third season of House of the Dragon, which premieres on Monday, June 22, day-and-date with its United States debut.

To mark the occasion, Steve Toussaint, the actor behind the legendary Lord Corlys Velaryon, arrived in Auckland to help celebrate the launch, bringing a touch of Westeros to New Zealand ahead of the series’ return.

A Library Built on Prestige

For years, HBO has been synonymous with groundbreaking television, and HBO Max brings together decades of acclaimed storytelling under one roof.

Subscribers can dive into iconic HBO Originals including The Last of Us, Succession, The White Lotus, Euphoria, The Sopranos, The Wire, and True Detective, alongside acclaimed Max Originals such as The Pitt and And Just Like That….

Fantasy fans are particularly well served, with Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms all available within the expanding HBO universe.

Blockbuster Entertainment at Scale

Beyond television, HBO Max arrives with an impressive catalogue of Warner Bros. films and beloved franchises.
Subscribers can explore everything from Oscar-winning cinema to major blockbuster releases, while fan-favourite franchises including Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and DC’s expanding universe of heroes and villains provide countless hours of entertainment.

Classic comfort viewing is also firmly on the menu, with favourites such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Rick and Morty joining the service from day one.

A Massive 2026 Ahead

If the launch library wasn’t enough, HBO Max has already unveiled an ambitious slate for the remainder of 2026.

Upcoming releases include the DC Studios series Lanterns, the comedy spin-off Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, Sharon Horgan’s Youth, and the fourth season of The Gilded Age.

But perhaps the most anticipated project of all is HBO’s new television adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which is set to debut this Christmas and promises to usher in a bold new chapter for the Wizarding World.

Streaming for Kiwi Audiences

Warner Bros. Discovery says New Zealand audiences have long embraced HBO and Warner Bros. content, making the launch a natural next step for the company.

Available across smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices, HBO Max launches with both Standard and Premium subscription tiers, giving viewers access to ad-free entertainment, offline downloads, and high-quality streaming options.

• Standard Plan:  Launch price offer of $10.99 per month for the first six months, or $109.99 for the first year.
• Premium Plan: Launch price offer of $15.99 per month for the first six months, or $159.99 for the first year.

With dragons taking flight once again, Hogwarts preparing to reopen its gates, and a deep catalogue of acclaimed entertainment ready to explore, HBO Max has arrived in New Zealand with a clear message: the next great binge-watch starts now.

Image: HBO MAX

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Warner Bros. Discovery has officially unveiled the plans, pricing, and launch details for HBO Max ahead of its highly anticipated New Zealand debut on June 16, giving Kiwi audiences their first look at what promises to be one of the most significant streaming launches in recent years.

For New Zealand viewers, HBO Max’s arrival marks a major shift in the entertainment landscape. The platform will become the exclusive home for HBO Originals and Max Originals, bringing some of the most acclaimed and talked-about television programming in the world under one roof.

That means subscribers will have direct access to powerhouse series including The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Euphoria, The Pitt, and the upcoming third season of House of the Dragon, which premieres just days after launch on June 22.

And that’s only the beginning.

The service is also preparing for two of the most anticipated television events of the coming year. DC Studios’ Lanterns will debut in August, while the long-awaited new Harry Potter television adaptation will arrive this Christmas with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, kicking off HBO’s ambitious reimagining of J.K. Rowling’s beloved fantasy saga.

Beyond its television offerings, HBO Max will arrive packed with blockbuster cinema. Subscribers can expect acclaimed new releases such as One Battle After Another and Sinners, alongside extensive collections built around iconic franchises including Harry Potter and the DC Universe.

For viewers looking for comfort viewing, fan-favourite classics such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Rick and Morty will also be available at launch.

Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed that HBO Max will launch with two ad-free subscription tiers.

The Standard Plan will be available as a special introductory offer for $10.99 per month for the first six months, or $109.99 for the first year. Following the promotional period, pricing will move to $15.99 per month or $159.99 annually. Subscribers can stream on two devices simultaneously, enjoy Full HD viewing, and download up to 30 titles for offline playback.

For those seeking a premium experience, the Premium Plan launches at $15.99 per month for the first six months or $159.99 for the first year. Once the promotional period ends, pricing increases to $20.99 per month or $209.99 annually. Premium subscribers can stream on up to four devices at once, access select content in 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos sound, and download up to 100 titles for offline viewing.

Both plans offer completely ad-free viewing.

The platform will support streaming across smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices, while also offering robust accessibility options and comprehensive parental controls for families.

With prestige television, blockbuster movies, beloved sitcoms, fantasy epics, and DC superheroes all arriving under one banner, HBO Max is positioning itself as a serious contender in New Zealand’s increasingly competitive streaming market.

The countdown is now on. HBO Max launches across New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and Tokelau on June 16.

Image: HBO Max

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Watch the brand new trailer for House of the Dragon below:

Following the massive cliffhanger of ‘The Queen Who Ever Was’, where the armies of the both the Greens and the Blacks were amassing for a devastating fight, Season Three of House of the Dragon takes us into the calamitous fight between these two great hosts, as both Westeros burns, and the ambitions, egos, deceptions and destinies of these characters clash with one another as each vies for power in the Game of Thrones.

This new trailer gives audiences a front row seat to the devastation that is set to arrive in Season three and it’s going to start off with an utter inferno courtesy of The Battle of the Gullet, a ferocious sea battle that finds the forces of the Lord Corlys Velaryon ‘The Sea Snake’ (Steve Toussaint) engaged against the pirate Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn), and it’s going to be awe-inspiring and bloody site to behold.

Matched against is the growing game of political intriguing and backstabbings as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) plans to take the city of Kings Landing by force, and soon runs into the meddling actions of Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), and it becomes clear to Rhaenyra that if she thought she could win this war in one fell swoop, think again, as the battle for Westeros is just beginning.

The hype utterly builds in this new trailer, and audiences are presented with a ferocious presentatiuon of the choas and intrigue that is set to arrive on screens, following the release of the newly announced HBO MAX platform which is set to arrive in Mid June, alongside the return of House of the Dragon.

Ready yourself for the mania that is to come when House of the Dragon arrives on HBO Max on June 21.

Image: HBO MAX

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Left on a high stakes cliff hanger with the armies of both the Targaryens and the Hightowers massing for a fight, Season Three of House of the Dragon is going to explode into drama, and the body count is surely going to rise.

Check out the full behind the scenes featurette for Season Three of House of the Dragon below:

This new featurette firmly encapsulates audiences in the incredible scope and massive scale that awaits in Season Three, and the focus is very much on the war, both on the battlefield, and within the halls of power, that determines the Game of Thrones, and all will be in awe once this new series arrives.

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The excitement building up around this new season of House of the Dragon also precipitates the launch of HBO Max in New Zealand with a brand new platfiorm that set to arrive on June 16, and while details are still to be made, this new platform will offer a bold new content experience for audiences.

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House of the Dragon Season Three will arrive on June 21, and the fires will roar.

Image: HBO MAX

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So marks the dawn of a brand new chapter of the Dance of Dragons in Season Three of House of the Dragon, and an all-new fiery trailer has arrived in anticipation of this next chapter of the narrative debuting on June 22, and all Westeros is about to burn.

Watch the brand new trailer for Season Three of House of the Dragon below:

Set to arrive on the newly launched HBO MAX, which hits screens on Monday 16 June, Season Three of House of the Dragon will follow in quick succession with it’s premiere Episode debuting on Monday 22 June, and will deliver an eight episode third season, with new episodes airing weekly, before Season Three is tapped off by a tumultuous and explosive season finale on August 10.

Following the massive cliffhanger of ‘The Queen Who Ever Was’, where the armies of the both the Greens and the Blacks were amassing for a devastating fight, Season Three of House of the Dragon takes us into the calamitous fight between these two great hosts, as both Westeros burns, and the ambitions, egos, deceptions and destinies of these characters clash with one another as each vies for power in the Game of Thrones.

This new trailer offers up an intriguing new taste of what is to come, showcasing both dramatic scheming and brutal combat and offering us a look at characters such as the ‘Rogue Prince’ Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), and Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), alongside new character including the authoritative and commanding Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton).

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Impressive in both scope, scale and sheer intensity, Season Three of House of The Dragon is shaping up to be an utterly impressive watch that will take audiences by storm when it arrives on the newly launched HBO Max on June 22, and this season, the fires will rage!

Image: HBO MAX

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