The first season of House of the Dragon, the highly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel, has been a massive success for HBO, with the largest audience for any new original series in the network's history. As a result, HBO has wasted no time in renewing the series for a second season. Despite the recent writers' strike, filming for the second season will continue. Here's everything we know so far about House of the Dragon season two.
Based on Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin
House of the Dragon is based on George R.R. Martin's novel Fire & Blood, which tells the history of House Targaryen in Westeros. The series is set two centuries before the events of Game of Thrones and focuses on the Targaryen family as they fight a civil war over who should inherit the Iron Throne after King Viserys I. The first season set the stage for what promises to be a bloody and epic story in the second season.
Co-creator Ryan Condal has revealed that season two will pick up right where season one left off, with the story continuing to focus on Alicent and Rhaenyra, two key characters in the Targaryen civil war. Condal has described the series as a Shakespearean or Greek tragedy, with House Targaryen tearing itself apart from within. With the death of Viserys, the lid has been lifted on long-held tensions and secrets, leading to a more traditional rhythm of storytelling in the second season.
Key Cast Returning
The key cast members from season one will all be returning for season two, including Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower), Emma D'Arcy (Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen), and Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen). Other returning cast members include Fabien Frankel (Criston Cole), Eve Best (Rhaenys Targaryen), Steve Toussain (Corlys Velaryon), Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower), and Sonoya Mizuno (Mysaria). The actors who play the next generation of Targaryens, Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon II Targaryen), Ewan Mitchell (Aemond Targaryen), and Phia Saban (Helena Targaryen) are also expected to return.
However, the younger versions of Rhaenyra and Alicent, played by Milly Alcock and Emily Carney, respectively, are not expected to return in season two. Creator Ryan Condal has not ruled out future appearances but has emphasized that their story is not part of the tale being told in the upcoming season.
Filming Continues Amid Writer's Strike
As of May 2023, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike, with writers refusing to work until a new contract can be reached. However, this has not stopped the filming of House of the Dragon season two from continuing. The series is being produced under a "strike-affected" contract, which allows the producers to continue filming while negotiations are ongoing.
The WGA strike has had a significant impact on the television industry, with many shows being delayed or cancelled. However, House of the Dragon has been able to continue production thanks to its unique contract. The show's creators and producers are confident that they can deliver a high-quality second season despite the strike.
What Else Can We Expect?
Aside from the continuation of the civil war between House Targaryen, House of the Dragon season two is expected to explore the inner workings of House Velaryon, also known as the "Sea Snake" family. Steve Toussaint, who plays Lord Corlys Velaryon, is set to have a more prominent role this season.
"Obviously Corlys was a very important character in the books, and we wanted to honor that, and Steve was just such an incredible actor that he brought such a gravitas and such a weight to everything that he did that it was really fun to write for him," Condal said of Toussaint's character. "And then we were able to create this wonderful relationship between him and Rhaenys that wasn't in the books but felt completely organic.
" We can also expect to see more dragons in season two. House of the Dragon takes place during a time when dragons still roamed the skies of Westeros, and it seems that we will be seeing more of them in the upcoming season.
In a recent interview, co-creator Miguel Sapochnik teased, "There are more dragons on the horizon, and things are going to get a lot worse before they get better."
Will there be a writers' strike?
Despite the renewal and production of House of the Dragon season two, there have been rumors of a potential writers' strike looming in the entertainment industry. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is currently in negotiations with major studios and networks over a new contract. If a deal is not reached by the deadline, which is set for May 1st, 2023, a strike could occur. However, according to Variety, it seems that House of the Dragon will not be affected by the strike. The show is reportedly exempt due to being a "financial core" show, meaning that the writers are not required to be members of the WGA to work on the series. The same goes for other HBO shows such as Succession and Westworld.
How has the pandemic affected production?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, with many productions being delayed or shut down altogether. House of the Dragon was not immune to these effects, with production on the first season being halted in March 2020 due to the pandemic. However, the team was able to resume production in July 2020, with strict health and safety protocols in place. It seems that these protocols will continue into the second season, as executive producer and director Miguel Sapochnik recently stated that "We will continue to take COVID seriously on set and are committed to providing a safe and creative environment for our cast and crew."
When will House of the Dragon season two premiere?
Unfortunately, no official release date has been announced for House of the Dragon season two. However, given that the first season premiered in January 2022, it is possible that we could see the second season debut around the same time in 2023.
Will House of the Dragon have multiple seasons?
While HBO has not officially announced how many seasons House of the Dragon will have, co-creator Ryan Condal has expressed his desire for the show to run for multiple seasons. "I think we have an opportunity to tell a really big, sprawling story that encompasses many years and many characters, and there's a lot of different directions we could go in," Condal said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "So I'm excited to explore that as far as we can take it."
Conclusion:
House of the Dragon Season Two promises to be just as epic and thrilling as its predecessor. With the continuation of the story, the return of the main cast, and some exciting new developments, there is plenty to look forward to.
Despite the potential setbacks caused by the WGA strike, it seems that production will continue as planned, which is excellent news for fans. With more dragons, new characters, and a deeper dive into the world of Westeros, Season Two is shaping up to be an unforgettable chapter in the Game of Thrones saga.
FAQ's
Q: Will House of the Dragon season two be affected by the writers' strike?
A: At this time, it appears that House of the Dragon season two will continue filming despite the ongoing writers' strike.
Q: When will House of the Dragon season two be released?
A: There is no official release date yet for House of the Dragon season two. However, it is expected to be released sometime in 2024.
Q: Will there be any new cast members in House of the Dragon season two?
A: While there have been no official announcements about new cast members, it is possible that some new characters will be introduced in season two.
Q: What can we expect from the plot of House of the Dragon season two?
A: House of the Dragon season two will continue to follow the civil war within House Targaryen, particularly focusing on the story of Alicent and Rhaenyra. The season is expected to be a continuation of the Shakespearean or Greek tragedy-style story established in season one.
Q: How will House of the Dragon season two compare to Game of Thrones?
A: As a prequel to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon has a different focus and story than the original series. However, fans of Game of Thrones can still expect epic battles, political intrigue, and complex characters in House of the Dragon season two.