Meet Lady Sabitha Frey, the ‘House of the Dragon’ Character Set to Shine in Season 3

‘House of the Dragon‘ fans received a brief yet impactful introduction to a key figure from the Riverlands in season two, and it appears she is here to stay. Lady Sabitha Frey made a few appearances, but her narrative in George R.R. Martin’s source material is rich enough that the showrunners may finally be ready to explore her character more deeply.

With filming for season three currently in progress, Sabitha Frey is confirmed to return. She leads House Frey alongside her husband Forrest, portrayed by Kenneth Collard. In a series filled with dragons and dynastic conflicts, her transition from a minor character to a significant wildcard deserves a closer examination.

Sabitha Frey is played by actress Sarah Woodward in the adaptation of ‘House of the Dragon’. Interestingly, she was initially introduced as Serena Frey before the name was reverted back to Sabitha, aligning the character more closely with the books.

Her introduction on screen occurred during a political meeting rather than a battle scene. Sabitha and her husband Forrest negotiate with Prince Jacaerys Velaryon at the Twins, where she pledges loyalty to Rhaenyra in exchange for the promise of Harrenhal after the war. Although it was a brief scene, it established a character with far greater ambition than her limited screen time suggested.

Readers of ‘Fire & Blood’ know that there is much more to her than a single negotiation. Sabitha has always seemed to wield more control over House Frey than her husband, a dynamic that becomes increasingly evident as the story unfolds.

The choice to support Rhaenyra was not a trivial plot point; it significantly altered the entire northern war strategy. Sabitha and Forrest decided to align themselves with Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and opened the gates of the Twins, their ancestral home, to an army of Northerners heading south. This pivotal moment, showcased in the season two finale, provided the Blacks with a crucial route through the Riverlands.

In the books, this loyalty comes at a high personal cost. Her husband, Lord Forrest Frey, dies in the Battle by the Lakeshore, and Sabitha takes command of Harrenhal after the Greens abandon it.

However, maintaining that control is not without challenges. Sabitha survives an attack on the castle by Prince Aemond and his dragon Vhagar, hiding in a privy to escape the dragonfire before returning to the Twins. This tense sequence could make for a gripping scene if the show decides to adapt it.

Before her connection to House Frey, Sabitha hailed from a different lineage. Born Sabitha Vypren, she was a noblewoman of House Vypren and married to Lord Forrest Frey, the head of House Frey during the reigns of kings Viserys I and Aegon II Targaryen. Her reputation in the source material is anything but gentle.

According to the text, Sabitha was known for her ruthlessness and ambition, and it is rumored that she preferred the company of women over men, with links to Lady Alysanne Blackwood. This relationship becomes a recurring theme throughout the conflict. The two women reportedly grew close during the fighting.

Their bond is explored in greater detail elsewhere in the text. Sabitha and Alysanne Blackwood shared tents during the campaign and joined the Lads in their march on King’s Landing, where they received a warm welcome from the capital’s populace. This intimate, character-driven detail is what book readers hope will transition to the screen.

Sabitha’s journey does not conclude with the end of the fighting, which is part of why her return has sparked excitement. She and her kin from House Vypren allied with Ser Addam Velaryon for the Second Battle of Tumbleton and participated in the Battle of the Kingsroad, both significant confrontations in the latter half of the civil war.

Her postwar fate is more subdued but still noteworthy. When a council of regents was formed to govern during King Aegon III Targaryen’s minority, Sabitha was notably absent from the council. However, Septon Eustace notes that this exclusion was not a slight against her. Instead of pursuing power, she returned to the Twins to restore some order in the northern riverlands.

Whether the show will follow this storyline remains uncertain. The series has already diverged significantly from the source material and may not last as long as initially planned, so nothing is guaranteed. Nevertheless, Woodward’s confirmed return indicates that the writers recognize the value of her narrative.

Considering all that Sabitha Frey endures, from dragonfire at Harrenhal to the loss of her husband in battle, do you believe ‘House of the Dragon’ season three will finally give this Frey matriarch the attention she deserves as depicted in the books?