Exclusive Insights: How House of the Dragon's Showrunner Exit Shaped Season 2, Revealed by Prominent Star
Discover the unexpected twists awaiting fans in House of the Dragon Season 2 as the showrunner's sudden exit leaves viewers eagerly speculating on the thrilling direction the series will take Brace yourselves for an exhilarating ride!
Summary
Alicent actor Olivia Cooke discusses showrunner Miguel Sapochnik's departure from House of the Dragon and expresses optimism regarding the new creatives joining the series.
Sapochnik's departure aside, the team behind House of the Dragon season 2 remains strong with co-showrunner Ryan Condal and executive producer George R.R. Martin still on board.
Although season 2 will feature a reduced episode count, it will delve into the aftermath of the season 1 finale's jaw-dropping events, with a primary focus on the tense dynamics between Rhaenyra and Alicent.
House of the Dragon star Olivia Cooke reflects on showrunner Miguel Sapochnik's surprising departure from the HBO series and its effect on season 2. The first season of House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones, premiered last year and was based on George R.R. Martin's source material. Following the premiere, there was a change in direction as Sapochnik, who had been co-showrunner alongside Ryan Condal, announced his departure. Cooke, who portrays Alicent Hightower in the show, shares her thoughts on Sapochnik's exit in a recent interview on The Wrap's Unwrapped podcast. Despite his absence, she remains hopeful about the fresh talent that will contribute to the future of the series. Read Cooke's full comment below:
What To Expect From House Of The Dragon Season 2
Miguel is truly adored by all of us. He is not only a brilliant director but also an incredible collaborator. His unconventional ideas for this show were truly groundbreaking. Although it's impossible to replace him entirely, we have made a collective effort to bring in other amazing directors to fill his shoes. This year, we are thrilled to be working with some exceptionally talented directors such as Geeta Patel and Clare Kilner. While Miguel's unique presence cannot be replicated, we strive to maintain the same level of excellence, if not surpass it, in this season.
Despite the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes causing numerous US-based productions to be halted, House of the Dragon season 2 remains unaffected as the majority of filming takes place in the UK with actors from the Equity union. The highly anticipated second season of the show is projected to debut either in the late spring or early summer of 2024.
Sapochnik is no longer involved in season 2, but Condal continues as the sole showrunner and Martin remains an executive producer. The new season will have fewer episodes, going from the usual 10 to only eight. This change was made with the story in mind, as part of a larger plan for the series spanning three or four seasons.
In terms of the story, season 2 will pick up after the dramatic events of House of the Dragon's season 1 finale, focusing on the deteriorating relationship between Rhaenyra and Alicent. Unlike season 1 with its time jumps, season 2 will remain mostly in one time period, resulting in Milly Alock and Emily Carey not reprising their roles as young Rhaenyra and young Alicent. Despite Sapochnik's departure being unexpected, Cooke's comment indicates that House of the Dragon season 2 is in capable hands.
Source: Unwrapped Podcast (via Collider)
