House Of The Dragon Season 3 Is Deep Into Writing Phase

The Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon comes back this June for its sophomore season, but could the story span another season? It sure sounds like it.

Writer Sara Hess told Entertainment Weekly that she and showrunner Ryan Condal are planning a third season, which backs up previous comments from George R.R. Martin that Season 3 and 4 are in the works. Condal told EW that writing is underway on Season 3 (EW reported that it’s “deep” into the writing process) so that if HBO opts to renew the series, the team will be ready to go.

While third and fourth seasons of House of the Dragon could happen, no one should expect the series to go on forever.

“You certainly don’t want to rush to get to an end, but you also don’t want to overstay your welcome,” Condal said. “You want to find this very satisfying place to go out that ties up enough loose ends and leaves others intentionally open because, as we know, this history marches on for another 150 years to Daenerys.”

For comparison, the main Game of Thrones series had eight seasons. Martin previously said he wanted at least 10 seasons of the show.

Emma D’Arcy, who plays Rhaenyra Targaryen, told EW that Season 1 of House of the Dragon was relatively easier to shoot because that season had time jumps. The show began with Milly Alcock playing Rhaenyra, before D’Arcy came in later in the season to play the adult version in four episodes.

“Four episodes? Lovely. Do a bit of work, a few weeks off, it’s perfect,” D’Arcy said of making Season 1. But for Season 2, there are no time jumps, so D’Arcy is playing the role the entire time–and it was taxing. “It was so exhausting, but also nice,” she said.

Olivia Cooke, who plays Alicent Hightower, spoke about the challenging nature of filming Season 2.

“Oh my God, by the end of season 2, I was a fucking shell of myself. I was a husk. I could not form a sentence. I was so tired. I need to implement some way of getting through Season 3, if there’s a Season 3, to really harness as much energy as possible. It is a behemoth.”

House of the Dragon returns on June 16. Beyond that series, HBO is producing another show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which is slated for release in 2025.