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We are all set to return to the world of Targaryen politics soon withHouse of the DragonSeason 2. The Matt Smith prequel series, set 200 years beforeGame of Thrones,has garnered widespread praise after its premiere in late 2022.
House of the DragonSeason 2 raised several headlines when it continued its filming and was completed in time even after facing the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. However, it faced another significant issue when co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik left the show. According to a recent interview by Matt Smith, fans will feel Sapochnik’s absence in the second season.
Matt Smith as Prince Daemon inHouse of the Dragon[Credit: HBO]Initially, the reports claimed that Miguel Sapochnik left the show on amicable terms. But soon, it was reported that Sapochnik left the show after a disagreement with HBO regarding the involvement of his wife.
What did Matt Smith say about Miguel Sapochnik’s absence fromHouse of the Dragon?
Miguel Sapochnik directed the famousBattle of the Bastards[Credit: HBO]Recently,Matt Smithand Ryan Condal sat for an interview withVarietyto share some tidbits about the upcoming installment ofHouse of the Dragon. During the conversation, the Daemon Targaryen fame spoke on the absence of Sapochnik from the second season. Miguel Sapochnik directed six iconic episodes inGame of Thronesand also three episodes inHouse of the Dragon‘s Season 1.
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Smith openly stated that Sapochnik, being the director of some iconicGoTepisodes likeHardhome,Battle of the Bastards, andThe Winds of Winter, greatly helped in the tonality of the show. He added that the English director will be a major miss in the second season ofHotD.
It’s a shame, because it had a great effect on the tone of the show, and knowing what you need to deliver. It’s kind of second-album syndrome, isn’t it? You’ve got to play the hits a bit. People have got to feel like they’re getting some sense of a ‘Game of Thrones’-type of show. We wish him well — but certainly, when you lose a director of that caliber, you’re going to feel it.
According to a report byThe Hollywood Reporter, Sapochnik and HBO amicably parted ways. It also led to Ryan Condal being the solo showrunner forHotD‘s second season. Surprisingly, another report byPuckindicated that the 49-year-old had a major dispute with HBO.
Miguel Sapochnik’s wife Alexis Raben was an active part inDragon‘s first season where she played Talya, a lady-in-waiting for Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower. Raben was also credited as a producer of the series. However, HBO did not want Raben to be in Season 2’s production team due to her inexperience.
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Reportedly, the situation got out of hand, and Sapochnik left the show. He also fired his representatives at WME and joined the rival company CAA with his wife. Although Miguel Sapochnik will remain as an executive producer of the series,GoTveteran Alan Taylor also joined theHotDteam to act as a director and producer.
WillHouse of the DragonSeason 2 be different from Season 1?
Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith inHouse of the Dragon[Credit: HBO]While Miguel Sapochnik’s absence is sure to have an impact onHouse of the DragonSeason 2, this season will also have some other major changes. In the conversation with Variety, Matt Smith claimed that Prince Daemon’s character will be“much weaker”than his Season 1 version.
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Despite being loved by everyone, one of Season 1’s most significant criticisms was for its pacing and the time jumps we encountered. ShowrunnerRyan Condalsuggested that the second season’s pace will be much different in comparison to the first season.
I think the pace will feel more like building momentum. Season 1 felt breakneck because you were jumping time periods, whereas season 2 feels like you light a fuse in episode 1 and watch it go — and at points, little charges go off.
Condal also hinted that this series may have a much better conclusion thanGame of Thrones‘ disaster ending. It is because the source material for the show is“finished, and we know where the curtain closes.”The series is based on George R.R. Martin’s novelFire & Blood. Now, it remains to be seen if we have a fruitful return to the world of Westeros with everything the show went through.
House of the DragonSeason 2 will be premiered on June 04, 2025, on Max.
Subham Mandal
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1461
Subham Mandal is currently working as a content writer for FandomWire with an ardent interest in the world of pop culture. He has written more than 1000 articles on different spheres of modern pop culture and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He’s also an experienced student journalist having demonstrated work experience with the Times of India. He aspires to be a column writer in the future.
