HBO’s House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, will have eight episodes in its second season, according to sources. This is down from the ten episodes it had in its first season. However, this reduction in episode count is reportedly storydriven and part of a long-term plan for the show, which includes a possible third season. Here are some more details about what fans can expect from the upcoming seasons of House of the Dragon.
Story-driven Decision Reduces Episode Count
The decision to reduce the episode count for season two was taken by showrunner Ryan Condal and author/executive producer George R.R. Martin, who are now trying to figure out the overall narrative flow of the series for upcoming seasons. The creative team has envisioned the series running for three or four seasons, but HBO and HBO Max content CEO Casey Bloys prioritize a good script and a solid foundation before starting production.
Production Starts in 2022 for Likely Summer 2024 Premiere
Production on House of the Dragon season two has not yet started due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, but it is likely to begin soon with shooting expected to take place in the UK. The show is aiming for a summer 2024 premiere date, according to sources. Warner Bros. Discovery’s new regime embraced the series last summer, supporting the $200 million production with the biggest marketing campaign in HBO’s history.
Major Battle Moved to Season Three
A portion of season two’s plot and a major battle are being moved to season three since it could not be accommodated within eight episodes. The creative team wants to finish telling their story without beating around the bush and that is why they are looking at an overall arc instead of planning things out season by season. Showrunner Ryan Condal is taking a step back to view the narrative and flow of story arcs for the full series run.
Uncertainty Over Number of Seasons
George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal are still undecided on whether the show will have three or four seasons. HBO is looking at the big picture of the series, hoping to bring it to a satisfying conclusion, as opposed to planning things out season by season.
House of the Dragon Tells the Story of House Targaryen
House of the Dragon is set 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen. It stars Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans.
In conclusion, House of the Dragon’s second season will have eight episodes instead of ten due to a creative decision. However, this reduction in episode count is part of a long-term plan that may include a possible third season. The show’s production is expected to start soon in the UK with a summer 2024 release date in mind. A portion of season two’s plot was moved to season three since it couldn’t be accommodated within eight episodes. The creative team envisions the series running for three or four seasons but wants to tell their story without beating around the bush. HBO is looking at the big picture and hoping to bring the show to a satisfying conclusion.
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