Game of Thrones is beginning to heat up with season three, with several fighters for the Iron Throne already failing in their attempts and paying for their lives.

As it stands, Cersei Lannister and her bastard son Joffrey continue to reign under the Baratheon name, despite the uprising caused by many knowing he’s the product of incest.

Reckless and stupid, Joffrey’s actions triggered the War Of The Five Kings, dividing the entirety of Westeros as they pick a side and pledge allegiance. As season three begins, one of those kings - Renly Baratheon - has died in his efforts.

Four remain: Robb Stark, King of the North; Stannis Baratheon, brother of late King Robert I Baratheon; Joffrey Baratheon, reigning monarch of Westeros; and Balon Greyjoy, Lord Reaper of Pyke whose son, Theon, failed attempt to take over The North results in trouble.

But there are other candidates emerging with a claim to the throne, and are building armies to fight for it – not least of which the Mother Of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen.

With allegiances now more necessary than ever, strategic moves to gain the upper hand are about to become more cunning and deadly than ever before.

All eight seasons of Game of Thrones are available now – as well as the first season of prequel series, House of the Dragon.

Sky is the exclusive home of the entire franchise in the UK, so it is not available on any other service – such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+.

You can watch the series on Sky Atlantic, on demand via Sky Go or by streaming on NOW.

Season two of House of the Dragon starts June 17 and will air weekly.

The key characters of season three are:

• Lena Headey (Gunpowder Milkshake, White House Plumbers) as Cersei Lannister
• Emilia Clarke (Me Before You, Marvel’s Secret Invasions) as Daenerys Targaryen
• Kit Harington (Gunpowder, Extrapolations, Criminal) as Jon Snow
• Peter Dinklage (X-Men: Days of Future Past, I Care A Lot) as Tyrion Lannister
• Jack Gleeson (Rebecca’s Boyfriend, Sex Education) as Joffrey Baratheon
• Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Oblivion, Radioman) as Jaime Lannister
• Gwendoline Christie (Wednesday, The Sandman) as Brienne of Tarth
• Michelle Fairley (Queen Charlotte, Gangs of London) as Catelyn Stark
• Aidan Gillen (Peaky Blinders, The Wire) as Petyr Baelish a.k.a ‘Littlefinger’
• Iain Glen (Jack Taylor, Silo) as Jorah Mormont
• Liam Cunningham (The Wind That Shakes The Barley) as Davos Seaworth
• Isaac Hempstead-Wright (Voyagers, The Boxtrolls) as Bran Stark
• Richard Madden (Bodyguard, Eternals) as Robb Stark
• Sophie Turner (X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Staircase) as Sansa Stark
• Maisie Williams (Pistol, Two Weeks To Live) as Arya Stark
• Alfie Allen (SAS Rogue Heroes, Jojo Rabbit) as Theon Greyjoy
• John Bradley (3-Body Problem) as Samwell Tarly
• Carice van Houten (Temple, Red Light) as Melisandre
• James Cosmo (Braveheart, Highlander) as Commander Jeor Mormont
• Kristian Nairn (Our Flag Means Death, Ripper Street) as Hodor
• Natalia Tena (Harry Potter franchise, John Wick: Chapter 4) as Osha
• Natalie Dormer (Elementary, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay) as Margaery Tyrell
• Charles Dance (The Crown, The Imitation Game) as Tywin Lannister
• Jerome Flynn (Ripper Street, Black Mirror: Shut Up and Dance) as Bronn
• Rose Leslie (The Time Traveler’s Wife, Vigil) as Ygritte
• Daniel Portman (Black Mirror, Vigil) as Podrick Payne
• Diana Rigg (Last Night In Soho, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) as Olenna Tyrell
• Gemma Whelan (Gentleman Jack, Upstart Crow) as Yara Greyjoy
• Nathalie Emmanuel (Fast And Furious franchise, The Invitation) as Missandei
• Jacob Anderson (Interview With The Vampire, Doctor Who) as Grey Worm
• Kristofer Hivju (Beck, The Witcher) as Tormund Giantsbane
• Tobias Menzies (The Crown, Outlander) as Edmure Tully
• Iwan Rheon (Inhumans, Misfits, The Dirt) as Ramsay Snow

The night is dark and full of terrors, and The War Of The Five Kings is underway, with each claim to the Iron Throne being strengthened with alliances every day.

Will Joffrey and the Lannisters be able to maintain their grip on King’s Landing? Or is someone else about to take it away from them?

The Night’s Watch are forced to return to The Wall to warn all of Westeros about the White Walkers. Meanwhile, beyond the Wall, Jon Snow meets a new king – Mance Rayder, wildling leader with whom he strikes up a new allegiance.

In King’s Landing, Tyrion wants to return to the Lannister home of Casterly Rock and claim it as his birthright, but gets a cruel wake-up call from father, Tywin. Joffrey and Cersei adjust to Margaery Tyrell, especially when she’s seen bearing kindness to those in Flea Bottom, while now rejected Sansa Stark is offered a potentially new exit out of King’s Landing.

Over in Essos, Daenerys arrives in Astapor to acquire soldiers for her army from fearless, enslaved soldiers known as the Unsullied. When a new attempt on her life is made, an allegiant makes themselves known.

Still on the run, Bran is haunted by dreams of the Three-Eyed Raven – dreams he shares with a boy named Jojen Reed.

Robb receives devastating word of Theon Greyjoy’s siege on The North and the death of Catelyn’s father, Hoster Tully, in Riverrun. Opting to head to the funeral proves an angering move among his men, especially those seeking their own vengeance. Roose Bolton is left in charge of Harrenhal as they leave.

Unknown to everyone, Theon, last seen being knocked out in season two, is alive in a dungeon – but being horrendously tortured by an unknown assailant.

Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth reach Riverlands in their quest to King’s Landing, but their antagonistic discussions eventually lead to trouble when, during a swordfight, they encounter soldiers from House Bolton, and are captured.

At King’s Landing, Margaery and her grandmother, Lady Olenna Tyrell, dig for information about Joffrey from Sansa, before Margaery turns on the charm to win him over.

Arya Stark, Gendry and Hot Pie’s efforts to get to Riverrun are interrupted by Thoros of Myr and his team known as Brotherhood Without Banners. Taken to an inn, they encounter The Hound, real name Sandor Clegane, who reveals Arya’s real identity.

Robb and Catelyn arrive at Riverrun for Hoster Tully’s funeral, meeting Edmure Tully in the process. Robb’s wife Talisa meets young and curious Martyn Lannister.

At King’s Landing, Tyrion is given a new position within Joffrey’s council, while Littlefinger is sent on a new task to secure a new alliance. Tyrion reveals exactly what state the Kingdom is in – especially with the Bank of Braavos.

Arya says goodbye to a long-held friend as she heads off with the Brotherhood.

At the Wall, Jon Snow and the Wildlings discover the bodies of the horses and men killed by White Walkers at the Fist of First Men, with Rayder planning an attack on the Night’s Watch back at the Wall now they’re aware the defenses are weakened. Meanwhile, Sam and the surviving Night’s Watch members return to Craster’s Keep, and Sam is reunited with Gilly, who gives birth to a son.

In Astapor, Daenerys makes a potentially dangerous trade-off in the name of acquiring an army, despite Jorah and Ser Barristan’s protests.

After being captured, Jaime finds himself defending Brienne – but he pays for it heavily.

Theon is finally rescued from his torture from a mysterious man.

Jaime Lannister finds himself struggling after losing something important.

Tyrion finds out how and why Varys became a eunuch, and his unique form of retribution.

The Night’s Watch outstay their welcome at Craster’s Keep, and as a fight breaks out, and men are lost, Sam seizes the opportunity to help Gilly and her baby boy.

Margaery and Olenna continue to get their feet under the table with Joffrey and Cersei – but it’s not working on both of them. Margaery offers Sansa an opportunity for the life she’s dreamed of – omitting one important fact.

Theon bonds with his rescuer, confessing his sins of what happened at Winterfell – only for it to blow up massively in his face.

Arya, Gendry and The Hound are taken to the Brotherhood’s lair, where one is commanded to a trial by combat.

Daenerys’s time in Astapor comes to an end when, armed with the Unsullied, she makes a bold move that shows her potential to be a ruthless and powerful leader.

After the trial by combat’s surprising verdict, Gendry remains with the Brotherhood, while Arya becomes a pawn in their next maneuver.

Jon Snow and Ygritte’s bond is taken to the next level as he strays further away from Night’s Watch vows and closer to those of the wildlings.

Jaime and Brienne arrive at Harrenhal, where they’re greeted by Roose Bolton and treated for their wounds. Jaime later shares the true reason why he earned the name Kingslayer.

Stannis confesses his infidelity to wife Selyse to a surprising response, while his hidden daughter Shireen, who is facially scarred from greyscale, befriends the imprisoned Davos and teaches him to read.

The Unsullied choose a leader among their men.

Robb Stark finds himself at a weakness after choosing to execute an ally for a decision they make, leading him to scramble with the hopes of forging a new alliance with Walder Frey.

As the Royal Wedding approaches, Tyrion meets with Olenna to ease debts of the Crown.

With renewed confidence in her position in Westeros society, Sansa Stark turns down the opportunity to leave King’s Landing. Tywin, obsessed with solidifying Lannister strength, comes up with a new plan that infuriates his children, Tyrion and Cersei.

Ygritte asks for Jon’s loyalty as they prepare to scale The Wall with Tormund, while Sam and Gilly continue hiding in the woods with her baby.

With the Brotherhood in the Riverlands, Arya begins fight training when they encounter Melisandre, who has predictions for her future and a new fate for Gendry.

Theon’s torture continues – with the assailant’s methods increasingly gruesome and cruel.

The Starks and Edmure Tully arrive for negotiations with Walder Frey, who wants an alternative husband for his daughter after Robb backed out of the prior engagement.

Bolton plans to get Jaime to King’s Landing but is unwilling to allow Brienne to go with him.

Over in King’s Landing, new engagements are set, against the wishes of everyone involved – Cersei to Ser Loras Tyrell, and Tyrion to Sansa, despite his continued love for Shae.

Joffrey’s sadism results in another grisly death.

Ygritte and Jon’s romance sparks jealousy in fellow wildling, Orell. Elsewhere in the North, Bran and the gang are told to venture Beyond the Wall, which Osha is unsure of.

The Starks prepare for Edmure Tully’s wedding to Walder Frey’s daughter, and lovebirds Robb and Talisa get exciting news.

A devastated Sansa leans on Margaery for solace over her engagement, and fears of consummating the marriage. Tyrion, also dreading the union, is warned by lover Shae.

Tywin tries to encourage Joffrey to take the King’s work more seriously, but dismisses his worries over Daenerys and reports of her dragons.

Daenerys and her army reach the slave city of Yunkai with plans to liberate the residents from their merchants, and have them join her army.

Melisandre tells Gendry of his true heritage, and his birthright as the bastard son of King Robert Baratheon. Arya feels betrayed by the Brotherhood and later flees from them, but is captured by Sandor.

At Harrenhal, Bolton leaves to attend the Tully/Frey wedding, and Jaime and Brienne share a surprisingly heartfelt farewell as he prepares to head to King’s Landing. But he turns back while on the road home, after he fears for her safety.

Finally, Theon’s torture is heightened and results in him losing a vital part of his anatomy.

Sandor takes Arya to see brother Robb, with plans to ransom her to him.

At Yunkai, Daenerys tries to win over the Second Sons – a team of mercenaries brought in as extra protection by the Yunkai slave traders, led by the vile Mero of Braavos. But he’s betrayed by lieutenant Daario Naharis, who kills him and the other leaders to devote himself to the Khaleesi and her plans.

Gendry and Melisandre arrive at Dragonstone, and Stannis admits to an imprisoned Ser Davos plans to have the boy sacrificed. Seducing him and binding him to a bed, she extracts his Royal blood with leeches, before casting a spell against his three rival ‘usurpers’ to the throne – Robb Stark, Balon Greyjoy, and Joffrey Baratheon.

Tyrion and Sansa’s wedding day arrives and it’s far from a happy occasion. Mocked by Joffrey at the altar, Tyrion proceeds to get drunk. On the wedding night, Tyrion – despite his father’s pleas to sire an heir – bears a kindness to Sansa and vows not to touch her without consent.

Beyond the wall, Sam and Gilly’s makeshift runaway family unit is tested when they encounter a White Walker.

The Rains Of Castamere is celebrated as the best Game of Thrones episode ever – with a 9.9/10 rating on IMDb after 117,000 votes. To many, it’s known as ‘The Red Wedding’.

On the eve of Edmure Tully’s wedding at The Twins, Robb reflects on his decisions as leader to his mother, Catelyn. Meeting Walder Frey to apologize for reneging on his deal to marry his daughters, things start well, with Walder seemingly accepting this new arrangement.

However, shortly after Edmure marries Roslin Frey, the truth is revealed – leading to untold horror that cemented Game of Thrones’ horrifyingly unpredictable nature from that point on.

More drama is occurring in The North, with several collectives all based around the Wall. While Sam and Gilly arrive, Bran and his collective hide out from the coming storm – where Bran tests out his growing powers before a decision is made about the group’s next move.

Jon finds his ethics questioned when they fail to align with that of the Wildlings.

Elsewhere, Daenerys’ plans to acquire the slaves of Yunkai reaches its conclusion.

In the season finale, the mastermind behind the Red Wedding – and the reasons why – reveal themselves. As the chaos unfolds just as they arrive, The Hound takes Arya and runs.

At King’s Landing, Brienne and Jamie finally arrive, with the Kingslayer reunited with his family, in particular Cersei.

A name of Theon Greyjoy’s sadistic and unrelenting tormentor finally reveals itself, as his sister Yara begins a quest to rescue him. Theon’s finally broken, and renamed.

At The Wall, Sam and Gilly meet Bran and Hodor – and some essentials for traveling beyond the Wall, before heading to Castle Black. Ygritte and Jon face-off in a showdown.

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