Last night’s season three finale of HBO’s House of the Dragon was ruthless in whittling down the major players ahead of the hit fantasy show’s fourth and final season.

Much like its predecessor Game of Thrones, the series has become well known for shocking viewers by brutally and unexpectedly chopping down major cast members.

In fact, the deaths in season three came so thick and fast that you could be forgiven for missing a few.

Here’s a recap of all the key characters we’ve said goodbye to in the last eight episodes:

Warning — Major spoilers ahead for ‘House of the Dragon’ season three.

Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (and his dragon Vermax)

It didn’t take long for House of the Dragon long to bring the axe down this season. In the very first episode, Queen Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) beloved eldest son Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) hatches a plan to protect his mother from the frontlines of war by locking her in her room and heading off to the Battle of the Gullett on his dragon, Vermax.

Tragedy soon befalls both Jacaerys and Vermax as they are burned by the untamed dragon Sheepstealer (ridden by Phoebe Campbell’s Rhaena). After Vermax is harpooned, Jacaerys is shot with arrows and Rhaenyra must face losing a son for second time. (Her son Prince Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault) was killed by Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) and his dragon Vhagar at the end of season one.)

**Admiral Sharako Lohar **

While the death of Prince Jacaerys was arguably the most significant moment in this season’s opening episode, spare a thought for Admiral Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn) who also met her fate during the Battle of the Gullett.

Single-mindedly intent on having her revenge on the Sea Snake himself, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), Admiral Lohar initially seems to get the upper hand when she fights Corlys and he’s thrown into the sea. However, he manages to survive while his illegitimate son Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) jumps in to attempt to drown Admiral Lohar and ultimately stabs her in the neck.

**Ser Simon Strong **

Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) failed to make it past the second episode of season three, cut down by a raging Aemond Targaryen in his home at Harrenhal. Aemond subsequently made the crumbling old castle his own.

Otto Hightower

Sometimes, a Queen has to get her hands dirty. Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) gets the rare distinction of being killed off by Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) personally. He’s beheaded at the end of episode two as punishment for his plot to put his grandson Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carne) on the Iron Throne instead of her.

**Ser Criston Cole **

Ah, poor sweet romantic Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel). The noble knight knows he’s doomed as he leads his rapidly-depleting troops onwards, and in his final moments he’s thinking of his star-crossed lover Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). He hopes for a noble death when, surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, he challenges Ser Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) to a duel, but he’s unceremoniously killed by a volley of arrows instead.

The High Septon

Many characters have learned this season that it’s unwise to make an enemy of Queen Rhaenyra, and The High Septon (Simon Chandler) is no different. After the religious leader refuses to endorse her claim for the Iron Throne for a second time, the vengeful Queen instructs Alyn of Hull to strike him down right there in the church (even if it does mean risking the fate of his immortal soul).

Ormund Hightower

James Norton’s performance as the smug Ormund Hightower has been one of the highlights of the season, but perhaps it was inevitable that he would meet his end before the final credits rolled. Having used a public humiliation to help convince dragon rider Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) to change sides, it was decidedly unwise to then publicly humiliate him for a second time. During the Battle of Tumbleton, Ulf’s dragon Silverwing takes aims at both sides — and Ormund is burned to a crisp.

Roderick Dustin

Lord Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan), commander of Queen Rhaenyra’s Winter Wolves army, entered the Battle of Tumbleton knowing full well he was at risk of losing his life.

During the fight, Roderick faces off against Ormund and loses an arm. Yet, that doesn’t stop him from continuing to fight with vigor, eventually shoving his sword into Ormund. That makes no difference to Ulf’s dragon Silverwing, who burns up the pair of them together.

Helaena Targaryen

Perhaps the most devastating character death this season was Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban). Pregnant and overwhelmed by profound grief and depression, weeks of eerie premonitions, and her half-sister Queen Rhaenyra’s increasing cruelty, Helaena takes her own life in the season three finale by jumping from her bedroom window onto the spikes below.

Because Saban’s Helaena had outlived the book character, who had died much earlier in the timeline, the actor admitted she wasn’t surprised by her character’s death.

“I did get such a call — I sort of saw it coming, really,” Saban told Entertainment Weekly. “I feel quite honored to die on TV in this universe. So it’s a bit of a bucket list.”

Season three of House of the Dragon is available to stream on HBO Max.