The creator of the Game of Thrones universe has publicly detailed a major behind-the-scenes rift, which may explain why the second season of the hit HBO prequel House of the Dragon failed to match the critical acclaim of its predecessor.
The Breakdown of a Creative Partnership
In a revealing interview with The Hollywood Reporter, George R.R. Martin, 77, described his working relationship with House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal, 47, as "abysmal." Martin, who hired Condal, stated he believed they were creative partners throughout the show's first season, with his notes on early script drafts being welcomed and implemented.
However, the author claims the dynamic soured significantly during production of the second season. "Then we got into season two, and he basically stopped listening to me," Martin asserted. He explained that his feedback was increasingly ignored, with Condal sometimes offering explanations or empty promises to consider changes.
The situation deteriorated to the point where, according to Martin, HBO instructed him to submit all notes directly to the network, which would then pass them to Condal as combined feedback from the studio.
Public Spats and Spoiler-Filled Blogs
This behind-the-scenes tension spilled into public view in 2024, when Martin published a controversial blog post on his official website. In it, he criticised specific deviations from his source material, Fire & Blood, and even shared spoilers about the series' future.
One key point of contention was the omission of a toddler-aged son of characters Helaena and King Aegon Targaryen, a decision Martin fears will impact the narrative of the planned third and fourth seasons. He warned of "larger and more toxic butterflies to come" if the contemplated changes proceed.
HBO swiftly issued a statement defending Condal and his creative team, praising their "extraordinary job" and emphasising the difficult choices required when adapting a book for television. The network expressed confidence that the show's millions of fans would continue to enjoy the series.
Critical Reception and What Comes Next
The on-screen results appear to reflect the off-screen discord. The critical reception for House of the Dragon season two was notably weaker than the first.
- Season one holds a 90% 'fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to 84% for season two.
- The debut season won a Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Drama and secured an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series.
- While season two received nominations, they were largely for technical achievements like costumes and effects, rather than for acting or writing.
Despite the internal drama, production continues. The third season of House of the Dragon is slated to premiere later this year. Before that, fans will get a new taste of Westeros with the spin-off series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which is set to debut on January 18.
