From dragons and fantasy kingdoms to Hollywood blockbusters, North Wales continues to shine as one of the world’s most spectacular filming destinations — and the latest major production to showcase its dramatic landscapes is the hit HBO series House of the Dragon.

The global smash, a prequel to Game of Thrones, filmed across some of the region’s most breathtaking locations during the summer of 2025, bringing international attention — and millions of pounds — to the North Wales economy.

Crews spent June and July filming in locations across Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd, transforming some of the region’s iconic scenery into part of the world of Westeros. Locations included Beaumaris Pier, the dramatic Craig Yr Undeb (Union Rock) and the stunning mountain lake Ffynnon Llugwy.

The production received support from Creative Wales, part of the Welsh Government, with £674,600 invested into the third season alone. That funding is expected to generate around £6.7 million for the Welsh economy while creating valuable opportunities for local workers.

Behind the scenes, the production also helped nurture the next generation of film and television talent in the region. Twelve trainees were given paid placements across departments including costume, camera, sound and set design, while additional trainees were able to upskill through specialist roles and shadowing schemes supported by Sgil Cymru and Crew HQ Wales.

Crew members were even given a Welsh language introduction to learn basic phrases, while a special bootcamp helped train local people as location marshals — opening doors for future work in the growing screen industry.

Welsh Government Minister for Creative Industries Jack Sargeant said the production further cements Wales’ reputation on the global stage.

“This production brings the beauty of North Wales to screens worldwide and strengthens Wales’s reputation as a leading filming destination,” he said. “Our investment supports local jobs, skills and training while delivering significant economic benefits for the region.”

Executive producer Kevin De La Noy said the cast and crew were delighted to return to the region.

“The landscape and locale add such visual power and vibrant dimension to the storytelling,” he said.

The region’s breathtaking scenery has long attracted filmmakers from around the world. North Wales has quietly become one of Britain’s most sought-after filming locations, appearing in major productions including Clash of the Titans, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life and Netflix fantasy epic The Witcher.

The rugged mountains, dramatic coastline and historic castles of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, along with locations such as Beaumaris Castle and the beaches and cliffs of Anglesey, have helped create cinematic worlds seen by millions of viewers across the globe.

As streaming platforms and film studios continue to search for spectacular landscapes and authentic locations, North Wales is increasingly becoming a natural stage for world-class storytelling.

With major productions like House of the Dragon returning to the region — and local people gaining valuable skills and experience behind the camera — the future of film and television in North Wales looks brighter than ever.

Watch the season three trailer of House of the Dragon here.

Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.