‘House of the Dragon’ wraps filming and George R.R. Martin is ‘loving it’
House of the Dragon, HBO’s prequel series to Game of Thrones, has just wrapped up filming.
George R.R. Martin—author of A Song of Ice and Fire, the series of epic fantasy novels on which Game of Thrones (2011-2019) and House of the Dragon are based on—shared the news on his blog Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022.
Based on Martin’s Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon is a prequel series set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It follows the fiery House of the Dragon, House Targaryen, during their reign of Westeros.
The upcoming series stars Paddy Considine, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Sonoya Mizuno, and Fabien Frankel.
On his blog, Martin stated that he's already seen rough cuts of a few episodes and is "loving them" so far.
"Exciting news out of London—I am informed that shooting has wrapped for the first season of House of the Dragon," Martin wrote. "Yes, all 10 episodes. I have seen rough cuts of a few of them, and I'm loving them."
According to the author, the first season of the 10-episode series has just entered post production, which means there's still a lot of work to be done in the realm of special effects, color timing, score and more before it's TV ready.
"But the writing, the directing, the acting all look terrific. I hope you will like them as much as I do. My hat is off to (showrunner Ryan Condal) and (co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik) and their team, and to our amazing cast."
After seeing a rough cut of the first episode, the author said: "It’s dark, it’s powerful, it’s visceral… just the way I like my epic fantasy... The Targaryens are in very good hands. Anticipate away. I do not think you will be disappointed."
Along with the news that the series wrapped filming, the author also revealed a new poster for the series showing one of the Targaryen's dragons.
#TargaryenThrusday BONUS Exciting news out of London — I am informed that shooting has WRAPPED for the first season of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON. https://t.co/DZ2uMICFck pic.twitter.com/05tEfHWFqj
— George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) February 18, 2022
House of the Dragon doesn't yet have a release date, though the first teaser and latest poster confirmed a 2022 release window.
But when exactly will the dragons dance?
“I wish I could tell you. Lots of work remains to be done, as I said, and COVID makes planning difficult. This spring? Unlikely. Maybe summer? Could be. Fall? Who knows?,” said Martin.
Last year, Warner Media confirmed that the fantasy author had signed on to a “five year, overall deal” to “develop content for HBO and HBO Max.”
The original Game of Thrones became the must-watch “event TV” for the streaming generation and bagged a staggering 59 Emmys, which could cement the deal for further installments and GoT spin-offs.
Other projects in the works include seafaring spin-off 9 Voyages from the creators of popular TV historical drama Rome, and a gritty underworld tale set in Westeros capital King’s Landing called Flea Bottom.
A Dunk and Egg TV series based on Martin’s novellas about a knight and his squire has long been rumored, along with potential animated series set in the sprawling fantasy realm.
Outside the Thrones universe, WarnerMedia’s statement previously confirmed Martin will executive produce two other HBO projects—Who Fears Death and Roadmarks, both adaptations of fantasy novels by other authors.