House of the Dragon Season 3 Officially Has Its Arya Replacement (& the Show’s Best Stark)

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In the third season of “House of the Dragon”, the cast is growing larger, including the introduction of a character inspired by Arya Stark from the Dance of the Dragons. Unlike “Game of Thrones”, the Starks are not central figures in this Targaryen-focused prequel series. The North’s most notable presence thus far has been Lord Cregan Stark, who made an appearance alongside Jacaerys Velaryon in the opening scene of Season 2, vowing loyalty to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. This allegiance will be further developed in “House of the Dragon” Season 3, as Cregan’s forces – known as the Winter Wolves – are set to participate in conflicts in the riverlands.

As a die-hard fan of the Seven Kingdoms saga, I can’t help but wonder if we’ll see Cregan again, given his absence in George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” until a significant point further on. However, the third season is shaping up to have a substantial link with House Stark, as hinted by the casting of Alysanne Blackwood in “House of the Dragon.” Annie Shapero will bring Alysanne to life across five out of eight episodes this season. This development certainly bodes well for the show’s continuation and, more importantly, the fate of House Stark.

Note: The following may contain SPOILERS for “Fire & Blood.”

House Of The Dragon’s Alysanne Blackwood Explained

A character named Alysanne, or Black Aly, hails from House Blackwood residing in the riverlands. This house has made appearances in both seasons of “House of the Dragon,” consistently demonstrating its allegiance to Rhaenyra. In Season 2, episode 3, titled “The Burning Mill,” there was an opportunity to introduce Alysanne earlier. It’s speculated, although not definitively confirmed, that she may have been the one who struck Amos Bracken with an arrow during the Battle of the Burning Mill; however, this event was not depicted in the TV series.

To put it simply, the description provided paints a picture of Black Aly as a character. She exhibits great bravery and exceptional archery skills much like Arya Stark, challenging societal norms at a young age by killing Amos at the age of 16. In essence, she is the show’s equivalent to Arya. Additionally, she stands out visually with her long, wavy black hair; it remains unclear whether this aspect will be portrayed in the series.

Alysanne may not be a central figure in the Dance of the Dragons, but her role is significant and impressive. She commands an army of archers in the Riverlands, joining forces with various prominent Riverlords. This alliance is evident in the Battle of the Kingsroad, which marks the end of the civil war. Here, she contributes to the victory against Lord Borros Baratheon.

After finishing the dance, it’s at this point that she becomes a Stark. Cregan arrives in King’s Landing following the demise of King Aegon II Targaryen, and he starts cleaning up the chaos left behind. The Lord of Winterfell is instantly smitten by Alysanne, and in return for granting Corlys Velaryon a pardon, he requests her hand in marriage, which she consents to. Eventually, Cregan and Black Aly return to govern the North, and they have multiple children together.

What Casting Black Aly Means For House Of The Dragon Season 3

The confirmation of actress Black Aly for Season 3 of “House of the Dragon” is thrilling due to her being one of the most compelling Stark characters in “Game of Thrones” lore. However, it’s an intriguing decision since she doesn’t appear in the parts of “Fire & Blood” that are expected to be adapted in Season 3. The show has already made significant alterations to George R.R. Martin’s original work (to his dismay), and with Aly slated for five episodes in Season 3, it appears that her character – along with the riverlords as a group – will likely have an expanded role in the storyline.

According to reports, filming for Season 3 featured Daemon Targaryen alongside the riverlords and other significant characters in scenes not found in the book. It’s possible that Black Aly could be part of these new scenes, which might increase her importance and connect her more closely with the main storyline’s key figures. (Source: @housethedragons on X)

It’s quite possible that Aly might perform duties associated with multiple characters. Merging characters for clarity and audience understanding isn’t unusual in storytelling. Given Black Aly’s prominence within the narrative, expanding her role isn’t necessarily a negative aspect, as long as her fundamental character stays consistent.

I can’t help but feel that letting go of characters like Benjicot Blackwood, also known as Bloody Ben, would be a real missed opportunity. House of the Dragon seems to be carving its own path, and while it could have potentially saved Black Aly for Season 4, her early appearance in the story is still incredibly thrilling from a fan’s perspective.

As a die-hard cinephile, I can’t contain my excitement! The first two seasons of “House of the Dragon” are currently available for streaming on HBO Max. And It’s going to be an epic journey that I simply can’t miss!

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2025-08-04 20:40