House of the Dragon: George R.R. Martin Teases ‘Very Dark’ Start of Season 2, Roadmap for Two More Seasons

When the man who unapologetically beheaded Ned Stark calls something “very dark,” we sit up and take notice.

So we’re extra intrigued now that Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin reports that he’s seen the first two episodes of House of the Dragon‘s upcoming season and deemed them “powerful, emotional, gut-wrenching, heart rending.”

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In a recent post on his personal blog, Martin writes that the HBO series’ showrunner, Ryan Condal, gave him rough cuts of the premiere and Episode 2 of Season 2. “Of course, I am hardly objective when talking about anything based on my own work,” writes the author, who also is an executive producer on House of the Dragon. “But I have to say, I thought both episodes were just great.  (And they are not even finished yet). Dark, mind you. Very dark. They may make you cry. (I did not cry myself, but one of my friends did).”

Those who watched Season 1 of the Thrones prequel will remember that the hour ended on a highly upsetting note: In the power scramble following King Viserys’ death, Rhaenyra sent her sons as messengers to the Hightowers — only to have Lucerys die during a midair, dragonback battle with Aemond. When Rhaenyra learned of her child’s death, the civil war between her Blacks and Alicent’s Greens was on.

Martin also reports that he “spent two days locked in a room” with Condal and the show’s writers in discussion about Seasons 3 and 4 of the fantasy saga. (For the record: So far, House of the Dragon has been renewed for Season 2, which will air in Summer 2024 — watch a trailer. )

The conversations “were lively, fun discussions, and we got some good work done… though two days was not nearly enough,” he writes. “There is so much ground to cover that I am not sure 20 days would have been enough.”

House of the Dragon‘s Greens Vs. Blacks: Our Handy Head-to-Head Breakdown

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Martin adds that the trip was his first to House of the Dragon‘s sets, and he was taken aback. “…Nothing I have ever seen can compare with the Red Keep and Dragonstone sets they have built at Leavesden Studios in London,” he says. “HUGE, stunning, and so damned real that I felt as if I had gone through a time portal to medieval Westeros.”

Are you looking forward to House of the Dragon Season 2? Hit the comments and let us know!

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