Ser Criston Cole’s death appears imminent as the show sets up the brutal Butcher’s Ball battle.
The Dance of the Dragons is getting bloodier. House of the Dragon Season 3 has already shocked viewers with several major character deaths. Now the show seems ready to remove one of its most disliked figures. Ser Criston Cole, played by Fabien Frankel, has been a source of frustration for fans since the first season. Recent episodes have strongly hinted that his time in Westeros is coming to an end.
The series has followed George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood closely for many storylines. In the source material, Criston Cole meets his end at a battle called the Butcher’s Ball. The show has been building toward this moment throughout the current season.
Episode 5 Sets the Stage for Cole’s Downfall
The end of House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 5 made things very clear. Two new characters, Roderick Dustin and Oscar Tully, discussed Cole’s actions and planned to take him down. This conversation directly foreshadows the Butcher’s Ball, where Criston Cole likely meets his end.
The show has used this kind of foreshadowing before. When characters start planning another character’s death in House of the Dragon, it usually happens soon after. The tension around Cole has been building for weeks, and Episode 5 pushed it to a breaking point.
Why Fans Hate Ser Criston Cole
Criston Cole did not start as a villain. He began the series as Rhaenyra Targaryen’s personal guard and showed promise as a skilled knight. He even defeated Prince Daemon in combat. But everything changed when Rhaenyra rejected his marriage proposal.
After that rejection, Cole’s personality shifted completely. He turned bitter and started working against Rhaenyra at every turn. His actions included:
- Poisoning Alicent’s mind against Rhaenyra and breaking their friendship
- Killing Joffrey Lonmouth during Rhaenyra’s wedding feast
- Crowning Aegon as king after Viserys died, helping start the civil war
- Treating Rhaenyra’s children with cruelty and disrespect
Many fans compare Cole to Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones. Both characters lack redeeming qualities and seem to enjoy causing pain. Some viewers even consider Cole more hateful than Joffrey because of his hypocrisy.
“Ser Criston Cole has been one of the most discussed characters in House of the Dragon since day one — and not in a good way. From hypocrisy to cruelness, betrayal, and bitterness — Cole doesn’t have many redeeming qualities.”
Cole’s hypocrisy makes him especially frustrating. He judges others harshly for mistakes he makes himself. He broke his Kingsguard oath but acts superior to everyone else. This double standard has made him one of the most disliked characters in the entire Game of Thrones franchise.
Fabien Frankel Confirms His Exit
Fabien Frankel is indeed leaving House of the Dragon in Season 3. Multiple sources have confirmed that his character does not survive the season. The actor has filmed his final scenes and wrapped production.
Showrunner Ryan Condal gave Frankel a special gift when he finished filming. He presented the actor with Criston Cole’s sword and helmet. This gesture came from a tradition Condal borrowed from Peter Jackson. The Lord of the Rings director gave actors meaningful props when they finished their roles.
“I borrowed a tradition from Peter Jackson—when actors wrapped on Lord of the Rings, he gave them a meaningful prop from their character. So I did the same thing for House of the Dragon season 3.”
Frankel has spoken about his character’s journey in recent interviews. He described the upcoming battle sequence as intense and well-choreographed.
“It was long and arduous choreography to learn, it’s a brilliantly choreographed fight.”
He also mentioned that viewers will see a new side of Criston Cole in his final moments. The battle will show what Cole is like in close combat.
“I’m just super excited for people to see that side of Criston… What he is like in a man-to-man situation.”
The Butcher’s Ball Battle Approaches
Episode 6 of Season 3 will likely feature the Butcher’s Ball. HBO released a trailer on July 20, 2026, showing the build-up to this major battle. The preview includes several key moments:
- Jeyne Arryn warns about the “doom that hangs over you”
- An unknown voice says victory will come “little by little, bite by bite”
- Daemon Targaryen questions the cost of waiting
The trailer sets up a brutal confrontation. In the source material, Cole takes three arrow wounds during this battle and dies. The show may change some details, but the outcome seems certain.
Cole’s Final Stand
Episode 5 showed Cole revealing his true intentions to Ser Gwayne Hightower. He made it clear that he was ready to die as a warrior. Gwayne chose to survive and walked away with a small group of riders. Cole now leads his remaining men forward on what looks like a suicide mission.
This moment shows a different side of Cole. For all his faults, he faces death with courage. He refuses to run and accepts his fate as a soldier. This does not excuse his past actions, but it adds complexity to his character.
Frankel has done an excellent job portraying this layered character. Even viewers who hate Cole acknowledge the actor’s strong performance. His work has made Cole one of the most memorable characters in the series, for better or worse.
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What Happens After Cole’s Death
Criston Cole’s death marks a major turning point in the civil war. The Greens lose one of their most important military leaders. This shifts the balance of power and changes the course of the conflict.
Season 3 will have eight episodes total. The finale airs on August 10, 2026. A fourth season has already been confirmed. Showrunner Ryan Condal has called it “the biggest season” in an interview with Deadline.
New episodes of House of the Dragon stream Sundays at 9 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max. The show continues to draw large audiences despite the controversial characters and brutal storylines.
Fans have strong reactions to Cole’s impending death. Some celebrate the end of his storyline. Others appreciate the complexity he brought to the show. Either way, his exit will change the series in significant ways.
The series has already killed several major characters this season. Jacaerys Velaryon died in the Season 3 premiere. Otto Hightower also met a bloody end. The show does not hold back when it comes to character deaths.
Criston Cole’s death will likely be one of the most talked-about moments of the season. His character has inspired strong emotions since the beginning. Watching him finally face consequences for his actions will satisfy many viewers.
The next episode of House of the Dragon arrives on July 26, 2026. Fans can watch on HBO Max to see if Criston Cole meets his end at the Butcher’s Ball.
Also Read: House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 5 Turns King’s Landing Into a Bloody Murder Mystery
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