HBO’s “House of the Dragon” will have four seasons. At a press conference on Monday, showrunner and co-creator Ryan Condal announced that the “Game of Thrones” prequel will wrap up after two more seasons, with the series concluding at the end of Season 4.
Ryan Condal shared that the writers are currently working on the third season, with preparations set for the fall. They plan to start filming in early 2025. When asked if the third season will have eight episodes like the second, Condal mentioned he hasn’t discussed it with HBO yet but expects the storytelling pace to stay the same from Season 2 onward.
George R.R. Martin, the author of “A Song of Ice and Fire” and co-creator of “House of the Dragon,” previously wrote on his blog that he thought it would take four seasons of 10 episodes each to tell the “Dance of the Dragons” story from his book “Fire & Blood.” Until now, HBO hadn’t confirmed the number of seasons for “House of the Dragon.”
See more: After ‘House Of The Dragon,’ George RR Martin Says There Are 7 Thrones Shows In Development.
HBO’s “Game of Thrones” series, based on George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” books, aired for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019. HBO is working on another “Game of Thrones” prequel called “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” This new show is based on Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” and is set 100 years before the events of “Game of Thrones.”
During the Monday press conference, Condal explained why the Season 2 finale, which aired on August 4, didn’t feature the Battle of the Gullet. This battle is an important part of the “Fire & Blood” book and the next logical step in the “House of the Dragon” story.
“We wanted to give the Battle of the Gullet the time and attention it deserves,” Condal said. “It’s one of the most anticipated action scenes in ‘Fire & Blood.’ As you can see from the finale, we’re building up to that event. It will happen soon in the story of ‘House of the Dragon.'”
“Based on what we know, the Battle of the Gullet will be the biggest thing we’ve done so far,” Condal said. “We wanted to give it the time and space to make sure it excites and satisfies the fans the way it deserves.”
The “House of the Dragon” boss explained that the team wanted to build excitement for the Battle of the Gullet, so Season 2 didn’t end with it.
“I know everyone wants the show to come out every summer,” Condal said. “But the show is so complex that making each season is like making several movies. I’m sorry for the wait, but if Rook’s Rest and the Red Sowing are any hint, we will do an amazing job with the Battle of the Gullet in the future.”
Condal also hinted at why Otto Hightower (played by Rhys Ifans), the former Hand of the King and Alicent’s father, appeared briefly in the final scenes of Season 2, looking like he was imprisoned, which is different from the “Fire & Blood” book. He didn’t give details about what this scene means but said viewers must wait for answers in Season 3. Condal added, “We were excited to bring Rhys back into the story, and I can tell you that Otto Hightower’s story isn’t over yet.”
Source: Variety
See more: George RR Martin Says There Are 7 Thrones Shows In Development