Fabien Frankel has offered a compelling glimpse into Criston Cole’s state of mind in Season 3, revealing that the knight has fully embraced a bleak, nihilistic outlook, while still fighting for something deeper.
In an interview with Decider, Frankel discussed how audiences will find Criston when the new season begins.
“When we reunite with Criston in season three, he’s sort of completely embraced nihilism (with no purpose).”
Ser Criston Cole survives yet another episode.
He’s practically on a suicide mission with Ser Gwayne.
He calls himself the realm’s greatest warrior#hotd pic.twitter.com/2zddcbxqFI— Apex (@Apex_willye) July 20, 2026
What is Criston Cole still fighting for?
The interviewer pressed Frankel on the central contradiction: If Criston believes nothing matters anymore, what continues to drive him?
Frankel was careful not to spoil the answer, but confirmed that the season will gradually reveal it.
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“I think as the course of the season goes on, that is very much discovered conceptually. And you do find out in a particular scene, and I won’t say much more, you do find a much more profound understanding of what it is that he is still fighting for. And it goes far beyond, I think, the subject matters that have been tackled in the first two seasons.”
He added with a smile:
“But I don’t want to say anything else. But yes, there is stuff he’s fighting for. I just can’t say what it is yet.”
A deeper evolution
The character has already been defined by loyalty, bitterness, and moral conflict in the first two seasons. Now as his next battle (Butcher’s Ball) gets near in Episode 6, maybe fans will end up discovering more about him.
