See Behind the Scenes of Criston Cole’s Scene in 'House of the Dragon' Episode 6

The third season of House of the Dragon keeps delivering surprises. After the events of episode 6, the internet lit up with reactions to the twists and the fates of several characters, including the hated Criston Cole, played by Fabien Frankel.

On his personal social media, Frankel shared a few behind-the-scenes shots from the production along with an emotional message. The following text contains SPOILERS for the episode!

"3 seasons. 21 episodes. 5 and half years. And a badly dealt with heartbreak. To all of you who tuned in every week, And to all those who have carried me along the way, I couldn’t have gotten through it without you. It’s been an honour. Criston Cole, over and out."

You can read about the character’s final moments in the words of reporter Alexandre Almeida:

Right from the start, House of the Dragon does what should have happened a long time ago: it puts an end to Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel). In a great sequence - with special praise for the direction by Loni Peristere - the knight moves across a field covered in bodies with the few soldiers he has left, until he is caught in an ambush. After defeating the first enemies, Cole and his men end up surrounded by Stark and Tully troops, along with other allies of Rhaenyra. Fabien Frankel proves he is a strong actor, unfortunately held back by a weak character, delivering Cole’s final great speech. The knight raises his sword with the handkerchief he received from Alicent, but he does not even have time to strike: three arrows hit him from afar, killing off a character who had already overstayed his welcome in the story.

What’s still to come in season 3? 

After the Battle of the Gullet, one of the grandest clashes in the world of Westeros, and Rhaenyra Targaryen’s capture of King’s Landing, season 3 now turns its attention to the aftermath of those events. Ormund Hightower has taken Tumbleton and plans to strike back at the queen of the Blacks. In Harrenhal, Aemond has been stabbed, and Criston Cole’s troops await orders to fight. Rhaenyra must deal with the consequences of being queen while also preparing for possible power grabs and the loss of allies.