House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal described George R.R. Martin's critiques of the series' second season as "disappointing," responding to the author's public comments from last year.
Tensions in the Game of Thrones universe escalated when Martin vowed to analyze "everything that went wrong with House of the Dragon" in August 2024. True to his word, he criticized specific plot points involving Aegon and Helaena's children while expressing worries about the show's future direction. Though the post was later deleted without explanation from Martin's website, its contents had already reached thousands of fans—and HBO's attention.
In a recent Entertainment Weekly interview, Condal addressed Martin's concerns anew. Above all, the strained dynamic with the Game of Thrones creator seems to weigh most heavily on the showrunner.
"It was disappointing," Condal admitted. "As someone who's cherished A Song of Ice and Fire for nearly 25 years, helming this series has been an extraordinary privilege—both professionally and as a lifelong fantasy fan. George isn't just a literary giant but a personal hero who profoundly shaped my writing journey."
He recognized that deviations from Martin's Fire & Blood source material might frustrate the author and fans alike, yet emphasized how book adaptations often demand creative compromises.
"We're dealing with an incomplete historical record that requires significant interpretation," Condal explained. "I actively involved George throughout the adaptation process for years—our collaboration was productive and meaningful. But as we progressed, practical challenges arose where our perspectives diverged."
The showrunner further clarified creative hurdles: "Balancing production realities with creative vision is essential. My responsibility extends to writers, crew, cast, and HBO—we're crafting not just for book fans but a global television audience."
Condal noted that major creative choices undergo rigorous development spanning months or years, with his final approval before filming. Despite recent friction, HBO and Martin continue developing projects like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms—which the author praises as "faithful"—and potentially more Targaryen-focused spinoffs, though some concepts have been postponed.
As House of the Dragon launches production for Season 3, it follows a well-received second installment (rated 7/10 in our review) ahead of its eventual premiere.
