Fabien Frankel, the actor behind the complex and controversial Ser Criston Cole, has given fans a compelling preview of what to expect from his character in House of the Dragon Season 3. According to Frankel, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard is heading toward a significant internal crisis as the Dance of the Dragons intensifies.
Quick read:
- Fabien Frankel says Criston will get more complicated and confusing in the upcoming season
- He says he’s always searching for something to believe in
- Fans will get to see him more than just a villian
#HouseOfTheDragon: Fabien Frankel talks Ser Criston Cole’s shifting loyalties and teases his Season 3 arc. Full interview 🔗: https://t.co/Z58MJ7wb7R pic.twitter.com/Vm0ANqGR6C
— ExtraTV (@extratv) June 13, 2026
In a recent interview with Extra TV, Frankel opened up about Criston’s mindset and the journey ahead:
“I think Criston is a man who’s always searching for something to believe in. In Season 1, he found that in Alicent and in the idea of duty and honour. But as the war escalates, those beliefs are constantly being challenged.”
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This search for purpose has defined Criston since the beginning. Once a promising knight with a rigid moral code, his life took a dramatic turn after his romantic involvement with Rhaenyra and his subsequent vow to Queen Alicent. What started as personal honour and devotion has gradually morphed into something darker and more complicated.
Frankel acknowledged the character’s troubling actions while pushing back against a one-dimensional view of him:
“He’s made some very dark choices, and I think in Season 3 we’re going to see him really reckoning with the consequences of those decisions. He’s not just a villain — he’s a man who’s deeply conflicted and trying to find his place in a world that’s falling apart.”
A twisted sense of loyalty
One of the most interesting aspects Frankel highlighted is Criston’s enduring, yet increasingly strained loyalty:
“There’s still a lot of loyalty in him, but it’s loyalty that’s been twisted and tested. I think Season 3 is going to be very interesting for him.”
As the war between the Greens and the Blacks grows bloodier, Criston will likely face difficult questions about the path he has chosen. His support for King Aegon II and Queen Alicent has already led him to commit acts that directly contradict the knightly ideals he once held dear. Season 3 appears poised to force him to confront the full weight of those choices.
What to expect from Criston in Season 3
With major battles like the Battle of the Gullet on the horizon and the Greens’ position becoming increasingly uncertain, Criston Cole is expected to play a central military and political role. However, Frankel’s comments suggest the season will balance large-scale action with deep character exploration.

















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