Following the mellow finale ofHouse of the DragonSeason 2, showrunner Ryan Condal sat for a virtual press conference withIGNand spoke about the finale and the upcoming Season 3. He addressed the lack of action in the highly-anticipated conclusion as well as the long wait ahead for the new season, assuring fans that it will be worth it.
The first season ofHouse of the Dragonpremiered in October 2022, captivating audiences with its intense political drama and dragon-filled action. The second season, whichavoided being impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, premiered in June 2024. This came after a gap of almost two years and once again left fans eagerly waiting for the story to continue. However, fans will now have another long wait for Season 3 to arrive.
House of the Dragon
Taking place about 172 years before the events ofGame of Thrones,House of the Dragontells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
Season 2 ofHouse of the Dragonspent a significant portion of its narrative building up to a climactic naval battle from George R.R. Martin’sFire and Blood,only to end on a quieter note, much to the disappointment of many viewers. Addressing the finale and Season 3, Condol told IGN:
“We are building to that event that will happen very shortly in terms of the storytelling, and it should be the biggest thing to date that we’ve pulled off. We just wanted to have the time and the space to do that at a level that is going to excite and satisfy the fans in the way it’s deserved. We also wanted to build some anticipation toward it. So I apologize for the wait, but … with the team that we have together, we’re going to pull off a hell of a win with The Battle of the Gullet.”
Condol’s interview came a day after the season concluded; his acknowledgment and assurance provided insight into his responsibilities as a showrunner and the challenges of making television on a big scale. While social media is still buzzing with discussions and speculations about the upcoming season, the fandom remains hopeful that it will live up to their very high expectations.
What Fans Can Look Forward To In The Meantime
Condol revealed that the writing team has already started working on the script for Season 3 and that the shooting is expected to start in early 2025. He also confirmed thatHouse of the Dragonwill conclude with Season 4 and the showwill have covered every significant eventfrom George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodwith all the comprehension and depth it deserves.
15 Shows to Binge After House of the Dragon
These shows rely on compelling political drama and high fantasy intrigue that House of the Dragon fans will appreciate.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to theupcomingGame of Thronesspin-off series, which is titledA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The series is set approximately 90 years before the events ofGame of Thronesand is adapted from Martin’sTales of Dunk and Eggnovellas. It will explore the early adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg, who would later become King Aegon V Targaryen, as well as dive into themes of fate and friendship, and offer a different perspective on the rich history of Westeros.
