House of the Dragon Kills Another Major Character in Season 3 Episode

House of the Dragon Kills Off Main Character During Intense Season 3 PremiereWarning: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season three, episode six. A glorious battle ended with the death of one clear-eyed warrior. Indeed, House of the Dragon's world of fire and ice featured another gruesome casualty as Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) was killed in the Riverlands during the Game of Thrones spinoff's July 26 episode. Season three, episode six began with Criston approaching what he and his small army of men—King's Landing loyalists under Tom Glynn-Carney's King Aegon II (a.k.a. the Greens)—believed was a field of dead soldiers. However, the Team Black warriors—loyalists of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy)—were simply playing dead before jumping up to shed blood. Although Criston was initially victorious, he realized that his army was greatly outnumbered by the Blacks led by Lord Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) and Lord Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan). Although Criston—who was first introduced in the season one premiere—knew he wasn't leaving the battlefield alive, he asked Oscar and Roderick, "One of me against the two of you. Will that be enough to make a fight of it?"With a handkerchief embroidered with an "A" given to him by his paramour Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke)—the widow of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine)—wrapped around his sword, he prepared to fight. His death was a lackluster moment as he died after being shot with three arrows, one of which was in the face, by a Team Black archer before the real fighting began. As Criston's body lay lifeless on the field within the first 10 minutes of the episode, his expectations for his eventual death in the episode prior were far from what he predicted. "I am the realm's greatest warrior and I will die as such," he told Ser Gwayne (Freddie Fox) in episode five. "Clear-eyed. Unbent. Glorious in battle. And not in their service, finally. But in my own. And they will sing songs of it."HBOFollowing his death—which came more than a month after Rhaenyra's eldest son Jace (Harry Collett) died during a bloody naval clash with the Greens—Frankel reflected on his character's ending. "Albeit Cole is an amazing fighter," the Task actor explained in the post-episode interview, "After the days and weeks and months they've been traveling, he's just exhausted." "He knows it's over," he posited. "I think there's a relief in that for him. I imagine that when you die, you think about the people that you love. So, that's what he thinks about before he dies." As the war between the Greens and Blacks continues to leave fire and blood in its wake, keep reading for more shocking TV show exits.Virginia Sherwood/NBCReid Scott, Law & OrderThe Veep alum, who has portrayed Detective Vincent Riley for the past three seasons, will exit the long-running NBC crime drama during the show's upcoming 26th season, set to premiere fall 2026.Michael Yarish /Paramount+Zach Gilford, Criminal Minds: EvolutionThe Paramount+ drama's season 19 finale, released July 23, confirmed the longtime star will not be returning for season 20 after his character Elias Voit was locked up in prison for a murder he took the blame for. "It was hard to say goodbye," Gilford told Us Weekly of his exit. "It definitely was one of my favorite characters I’ve ever gotten to play and partially because what a gift. Every season I got to do a different side of this character. It wasn’t like I was just doing the same thing every year."Clifton Prescod/BravoAmanda Batula, Summer HouseDays after West Wilson confirmed his Summer House exit, news broke that Amanda, who has been a main cast member of the Bravo series since season two, will also not be returning for season 11 amid the fallout from their bombshell romance.Clifton Prescod/BravoWest Wilson, Summer HouseAfter his secret love affair with Amanda Batula nearly destroyed the cast friend group dynamic following season 10, it was no shocker that West walked away from the scandal (and the series) in June 2026 just weeks before season 11 was set to start filming.Disney/Mike TaingBridget Regan, The RookieThe Rookie's corrupt lawyer Monica Stevens was no novice when it came to escaping death. "She's escaped multiple assassinations," actress Bridget Regan recounted to TV Insider of her character's four-season journey, "and prison time and being thrown in a woodchipper." 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The exit isn't so shocking to fans given that Ganesh's character has been planning to take on a new residency program at another medical center.Bill Inoshita/CBS via Getty ImagesRocky Carroll, NCISThe crime procedural said goodbye to Director Leon Vance (played by Rocky Carroll) in a March 2026 episode, 18 years after the leader's debut in season five. During the 500th episode, Vance was killed in a shooting with a corrupt agent and welcomed to heaven by late Chief Medical Examiner Donald "Ducky" Mallard (played by Adam Campbell).Virginia Sherwood/NBCMehcad Brooks, Law & OrderMehcad Brooks shocked fans in 2025 when it was revealed he was leaving the NBC crime drama ahead of season 25. Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.Tina Thorpe/Disney via Getty ImagesKim Raver & Kevin McKidd, Grey's AnatomyKevin McKidd and Kim Raver, who have played Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman respectively for nearly 20 years, shocked fans with news that they are leaving the medical drama, with their final episode being the season 22 finale May 7, 2026.Bravo/Danielle LevittJenna Lyons, The Real Housewives of New York CityJenna Lyons announced she will not be returning for The Real Housewives of New York City's 16th season. "The rumors …..Are true," the former J. Crew Creative Director wrote on Instagram Nov. 21. "I was grateful to be asked to join season 16 of RHONY 'as a friend of '- knowing my personal life was not really available to be filmed, we agreed that made sense." The fashion icon—who joined the Bravo series for season 14 in 2022—explained that she later realized being a supporting castmember wasn't for her. "And after thinking it through I have made the difficult decision not return to the show," she continued. "I would be the oldest and only openly gay woman on the show and feel like this is an opportunity for a new dynamic to emerge."Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/ShutterstockChrishell Stause, Selling SunsetAfter nine seasons, the A-list realtor is done selling mega-mansions on the Netflix reality show. “I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t need the show financially,” Chrishell announed in November via social media. “I’m lucky to have other forms of employment, because it’s no longer good for my mental health.”BravoJax Taylor, The ValleyJax Taylor announced he will not be returning to The Valley for season three amid growing concern from fans about his behavior during the show’s second season. “Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting," the Bravo star—who is embroiled in a nasty divorce from estranged wife Brittany Cartwright—shared in July 2025. "Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself—especially for our son, Cruz.”Mike Coppola/NBC via Getty ImagesMichael Longfellow, Emil Wakim & Devon Walker, Saturday Night LiveThe Saturday Night Live stars all announced within days of each other that they would not be returning for the sketch comedy series' 51st season. Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons on SNL while Wakim exited after just one season.Todd Williamson/NBCHeidi Gardner & Ego Nwodim, Saturday Night LiveWeeks after Longfellow, Walker and Wakim left SNL, longtime fan-favorites Gardner and Nwodim also confirmed they would not be returning for season 51 after eight and seven seasons, respectively.Disney/Bahareh RitterSofia Mattsson, General HospitalSofia Mattsson exited the long-running soap opera in summer 2025 after seven years playing Sasha Gilmore. Her character left Port Charles for Paris.HBO Max/Warrick PageTracy Ifeachor, The PittThe Pitt star Tracy Ifeachor walked away from the hit HBO Max series after the medical drama's breakout first season. "It was an absolute privilege to play Dr. Heather Collins in such a groundbreaking season and piece," the actress posted on Instagram July 10. "Thank you to everyone who has watched & supported Season 1 & shared their stories with me."Liane Hentscher/HBOPedro Pascal, The Last of UsWhile fans maybe should have been aware that the days were numbered for Pedro Pascal's Joel Miller, considering his April 2025 death was quite similar to how it unfolded in The Last of Us Part II, the 2020 video game season two of The Last of Us is based on, the moment his character was brutally impaled still stunned. Pascal, meanwhile, who also died onscreen in Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, took his game over status in stride. "I get killed a lot," he joked to Entertainment Weekly. "I like to die." Disney/Christopher WillardPeter Krause, 9-1-1After what he dubbed "one wild adventure," Peter Krause officially extinguished his role as 9-1-1's Los Angeles Fire Department captain Bobby Nash on an April 2025 episode of the procedural drama. “Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice, and he was built for this,” Krause wrote in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter. “First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day. His story arc honors them.” Killing off the somewhat tormented, but beloved, firefighter was certainly a hot topic, showrunner Tim Minear acknowledged to Variety, "but after eight years, it just felt like, if we have any hope of creating stories going forward that have actual stakes, then someone's got to die."Clifton Prescod/BravoPaige DeSorbo, Summer HouseSummer just got a little less fun. Paige DeSorbo announced in June 2025 that she was walking away from the Bravo series after seven seasons. "You’ve seen me grow up over these last 7 summers. I’ll always be grateful for the memories, the community, and the opportunities this wild ride has brought me," the Giggly Squad podcast cohost shared with fans on Instagram. "But like all good things (and some bad decisions), it’s time for this chapter to close."NetflixCamille Razat, Emily in ParisThe French actress confirmed she would not return for the hit Netflix series' fifth season in April 2025. "After an incredible journey, I’ve made the decision to step away from Emily in Paris,” she wrote in an April 23 Instagram post, alongside pictures of her and her former castmates on set. “It has been a truly wonderful experience, one filled with growth, creativity, and unforgettable memories.”Katrina Marcinowski/HBO MaxReneé Rapp, The Sex Lives of College GirlsAhead of The Sex Lives of College Girls' third season, Reneé Rapp announced she would be leaving the Max series. "College Girls moved me out to LA and introduced me to some of my favorite people," she wrote on social media in July 2023. "2 and a half years later—it's given me y'all and this community." The show's co-creator Mindy Kaling also confirmed Rapp's exit. "We love @reneerapp so much and of course will be so sad to say goodbye to Leighton Murray!" Kaling wrote on her Instagram Stories before referencing Rapp's thriving music career. "We can't wait to see our friend on tour!!"Paramount NetworkKevin Costner, YellowstoneMore than a year after Kevin Costner was rumored to have unexpectedly walked away from the hit Paramount drama after four and a half seasons, he confirmed in June 2024 that he will not return to finish out the series' fifth and final season.ABCEllen Pompeo, Grey's AnatomyAfter 19 years as Meredith Grey, Ellen Pompeo scrubbed in for the last time as a series regular on the ABC drama in February 2023. 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"Alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4."Matt Dinerstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesJesse Lee Soffer, Chicago P.D.Original castmember Jesse Lee Soffer turned in his badge in 2022, saying goodbye to his beloved character Detective Jay Halstead role after 10 seasons. "To create this hour drama week after week has been a labor of love by everyone who touches the show," Soffer said in a statement after his final appearance in the NBC procedural's Oct. 5 episode. "I will always be proud of my time as Det. Jay Halstead."JoJo Whilden/SHOWTIMEDamian Lewis, BillionsAfter five seasons, Damian Lewis departed Showtime's Billions in Oct. 2021.FOX via Getty ImagesEmily VanCamp, The ResidentIn Aug. 2021, it was reported that Emily VanCamp hung up her stethoscope for good as she had exited Fox's The Resident.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for ReedPOPMadeleine Mantock, CharmedAfter three seasons of feeling Charmed, Madeleine Mantock, who played eldest sister Macy on the CW reboot, announced her exit ahead of season four in 2021. Calling the role "an immense privilege," in a statement, the actress shared how much she "enjoyed working with our fantastic producers, creatives, cast and crew."NBCU Photo BankMegan Boone, The BlacklistTurns out Elizabeth Keen never will find out the truth about Raymond Reddington's identity. Megan Boone chose to leave NBC's The Blacklist at the end of season eight, and of course her character was killed off before she had the chance to read the letter that would have revealed everything. Boone marked the end of Liz's journey in 2021 with an Instagram post in which she called the experience "a dream." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App