HotD Showrunner Addresses George R.R. Martin Critique

House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal has described Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin's critique of the series' second season as "disappointing," responding to comments the author shared last year.

The controversy within the Game of Thrones universe ignited when Martin vowed to address "everything that has gone wrong with House of the Dragon" in August 2024. He delivered on that promise, highlighting narrative choices concerning Aegon and Helaena’s children and expressing apprehension about the show's future seasons. The post was later removed from the author’s website without explanation, but not before countless fans—and HBO—became aware of its contents.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Condal provided further insight into Martin's concerns. Above all, it's the strained dynamic with the Game of Thrones creator that seems to bother the showrunner the most.

“It was disappointing," he stated. "I'll just say I've been a fan of A Song of Ice and Fire for nearly 25 years, and being part of this show has been one of the greatest honors, not just in my writing career but in my life as a science-fiction and fantasy enthusiast. George is a literary giant and a personal hero of mine, and he greatly influenced my development as a writer."

Condal recognized that deviations from the original text, Fire & Blood, might be frustrating for Martin and readers. Still, he noted that adapting treasured books for television can lead to complex challenges.

"It's an unfinished history that requires a lot of interpretation and creativity as we progress," he continued. "I made every possible effort to involve George in the adaptation process. I truly did, over many years. For a long time, we had what I considered a productive and strong partnership. However, as we delved further into the story, he became increasingly resistant to addressing the practical constraints we faced.”

Condal went on to explain where challenges emerged: “As a showrunner, I must balance my role as a practical producer with my passion as a writer and fan of the source material. Ultimately, I have to advance not only the writing but also the production process for the sake of the crew, cast, and HBO—that’s my responsibility. I can only hope that George and I will one day reestablish that collaborative harmony.”

The House of the Dragon executive added that every creative choice requires "many months, if not years," to finalize, and all decisions are approved by him before reaching viewers. He emphasized that the objective is to create a series for not only Game of Thrones readers but also "a vast television audience."

Although HBO's relationship with Martin has encountered some difficulties over time, the two have numerous future projects in development. While some initiatives have been put on hold since Game of Thrones became a phenomenon, audiences can anticipate collaborations such as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and, ideally, another Targaryen-focused series. In fact, the former is a project Martin has already praised as a "faithful adaptation."

Meanwhile, House of the Dragon has officially begun filming Season 3. This follows a well-received second season, which we rated 7/10 in our review, ahead of its eventual premiere.