Bangor University Graduate Lands House of the Dragon Role 2026

Key Points

• Kieran Samuel, a graduate of Bangor University, bagged himself a paid internship in House of the Dragon Series 3
• This six-week internship was within the Lighting Department while shooting in June 2025
• Samuel, who comes from Holyhead, was a third-year student when he completed the internship
• The internship came through the Screen Alliance Wales as a part of the Creative Wales campaign
• The series of House of the Dragon is now being aired on HBO and includes Rhys Ifans as a Welsh actor
• Professor Ruth McElroy, Head of School, commended the internship opportunity as an example of the commitment made by the university
• Samuel said that he had learnt “how to paint with lighting”
• Series 3 was shot in North Wales, including Llanddwyn

Bangor (Wales Times) September 13, 2026 – A uk/local/bangor/">Bangor University graduate has taken his first significant step into the television industry by securing a prestigious paid placement on House of the Dragon Series 3, the HBO fantasy drama that continues to draw global audiences. Kieran Samuel, originally from Holyhead, spent six weeks working with the Lighting Department on the production, which filmed scenes in North Wales during June 2025.

The placement was facilitated through Screen Alliance Wales as part of the Creative Wales initiative, a programme designed to provide high-quality industry opportunities for young people in Wales. Samuel, who was a third-year student at the time of the placement, worked alongside experienced professionals on one of the world’s most visually ambitious television productions.

How did Kieran Samuel describe his experience on the production?

As reported by Bangor University’s news service, Samuel stated: “Working on House of the Dragon as a lighting trainee was an incredible experience. It taught me how to paint with lighting and gave me the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals on a world-class production. Seeing how every department worked together has inspired me as I begin my career in the screen industries”.

During his time on set, Samuel gained hands-on experience and had the chance to observe large-scale production workflows at close range. His placement offered unique insight into the creative and technical processes behind one of HBO’s flagship series. The Lighting Department, where Samuel was placed, collaborates closely with the Camera Department on productions of this scale.

Which university departments and initiatives supported this opportunity?

The placement was supported by the School of Arts, Culture and Language at Bangor University. Professor Ruth McElroy, Head of the School of Arts and Culture, commented on the achievement:

“I’m thrilled Kieran got this fantastic opportunity through the Wales Screen Academy. This reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students’ professional development and strengthening our partnerships with the creative industries in Wales”.

Students from the School of Arts, Culture and Language were also invited to a set visit at Llanddwyn, where the production was filming. Professor Ruth McElroy and Professor Edmund Burke, Vice-Chancellor, visited the set with the students.

What is House of the Dragon Series 3 and where was it filmed?

House of the Dragon is HBO’s hit fantasy drama and prequel to the award-winning Game of Thrones, which aired from 2011 to 2019. The series features a star-studded cast including Welsh actor Rhys Ifans and The Crown’s Matt Smith. Many of the scenes for the third series were filmed in North Wales.

House of the Dragon: Season 3 consists of eight episodes and premiered with “Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood”. The season concluded with its finale on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The Battle of Tumbleton in the finale has been described as the largest and best action sequence House of the Dragon has ever staged.

Background of the development

The Creative Wales initiative, through which Samuel’s placement was arranged, is part of a broader effort to develop the screen industries in Wales and provide pathways for local talent into major productions. Screen Alliance Wales works to connect emerging professionals with established industry practitioners on high-profile projects.

House of the Dragon has become one of the most significant television productions to film in Wales, bringing substantial economic investment and employment opportunities to the region. The series has featured numerous Welsh locations and has employed local crew members across multiple departments. The Wales Screen Academy, mentioned by Professor McElroy, represents a partnership between educational institutions and the creative industries to develop skilled graduates ready for professional work.

The Lighting Department plays a crucial role in television and film production, working in close collaboration with the Camera Department to achieve the visual style and atmosphere required for each scene. Trainees in this department learn technical skills related to equipment operation, safety protocols, and creative decision-making regarding illumination and mood.

Prediction: How this development can affect aspiring screen industry professionals in Wales

This development is likely to encourage more students and graduates in Wales to pursue careers in the screen industries, particularly in technical departments such as lighting, camera, and production design. Samuel’s success demonstrates that major international productions filming in Wales can provide meaningful entry points for local talent, potentially increasing applications to relevant university courses and training programmes.

The visibility of this placement may also strengthen partnerships between educational institutions like Bangor University and production companies, leading to more structured placement opportunities in the future. For aspiring professionals in North Wales specifically, the continued filming of major productions in the region suggests that geographical proximity to production centres may become less of a barrier to entry.

Industry observers note that placements on productions of this scale provide not only technical training but also valuable networking opportunities that can lead to further employment in the sector. As House of the Dragon and similar productions continue to utilise Welsh locations and crew, the regional screen industry infrastructure is expected to develop further, creating a more sustainable ecosystem for creative professionals.