Annie Shapero has been chosen to play Alysanne Blackwood in the third season of House of the Dragon.

      The third season of HBO’s *House of the Dragon* plays a crucial role in the Dance of the Dragons conflict. According to Deadline, Annie Shapero (from *Red Skies*) will join the cast as Alysanne Blackwood, one of the most famous combatants in Westeros' history.

      Referred to as Black Aly, Alysanne Blackwood is described as a “fearless warrior” and serves as “Lord Benjicot Blackwood’s aunt,” fighting for Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons before marrying Lord Cregan Stark, portrayed by Tom Taylor. She goes on to become a legendary character within House Stark's history.

      Blackwood will appear in a recurring role, featured in five of the eight episodes of the third season, which is set to premiere next year.

      *House of the Dragon* is a prequel to *Game of Thrones*, based on George R.R. Martin’s book *Fire & Blood*, which chronicles the history of the Targaryen dynasty following their conquest of Westeros.

      Shapero joins other new additions to the cast, including Tom Cullen, Joplin Sibtain, Barry Sloane, Tommy Flanagan, Dan Fogler, and James Norton in the eagerly awaited third season.

      The series, based on Martin’s *Fire & Blood*, takes place 200 years before the events of *Game of Thrones* and describes the story of House Targaryen. Following the coronation of King Aegon II and the demise of Queen Rhaenyra’s son, House Targaryen becomes split. Aegon II rules from the Iron Throne in King’s Landing, backed by Alicent and the Green Council, with the protection of Westeros' largest dragon. Meanwhile, Queen Rhaenyra and her Black Council, exiled on Dragonstone, contemplate their next actions. Civil war is imminent as both factions seek the support of Westeros' great houses, ultimately gathering armies — and dragons.

      Season 2 features Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Sonoya Mizuno, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, and Jefferson Hall. The additional cast for Season Two includes Abubakar Salim, Gayle Rankin, Freddie Fox, Simon Russell Beale, Clinton Liberty, Jamie Kenna, Kieran Bew, Tom Bennett, Tom Taylor, and Vincent Regan.

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more updates on films and engaging discussions about pop culture.