Despite the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike affecting Hollywood, HBO’s record-breaking series House of the Dragon will continue with filming as planned.
Per Variety, a source close to the production of House of the Dragon Season 2 insists it will continue unaffected by the writer’s strike because all scripts for the upcoming follow-up season of the Game of Thrones prequel were completed in advance. Season 2 filming is currently taking place in the United Kingdom, having begun in April. Currently on location in Hertfordshire, principal photography for House of the Dragon is expected to continue in Spain before its conclusion.
The WGA strike began on May 2 after contract talks between the group and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers ended without a resolution. Rules of the WGA strike prevent members from working internationally on projects that fall within the union’s jurisdiction if there’s active writing taking place. As a result, several American projects being produced in the U.K. could be affected, though how much each project will be affected will vary. While House of the Dragon’s scripts are completed, it’s unknown how HBO will handle any rewrites of the f antasy drama series should they become necessary.
Season 2 of House of the Dragon is highly anticipated after the wide-ranging success and accolades Season 1 garnered during its run between August and October of last year. Season 1’s average viewership of 29 million was the most ever across a full season for an HBO original series since Game of Thrones’ eighth and final season (44.5 million), a mark that’s since been surpassed by Season 1 of The Last of Us. Additionally, House of the Dragon scored a Best Television Series award at the 80th Golden Globes, as well as People’s Choice Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
House of the Dragon Season 2 Is Coming
While Season 2 of House of the Dragon will further expound on the struggle for power among the Targaryens and other plot points, the upcoming season of the series will be shorter than the first, as confirmed by an HBO spokesperson. Though Season 2’s eight episodes are less than the 10 aired during Season 1, the reduced content is part of a long-term plan for HBO as the network aims to secure a Season 3 renewal and further capitalize on the show’s popularity.
Based on George R.R. Martin’s 2018 book, Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon recently cast four new characters for Season 2, including a key member of the House of Velaryon in Fire & Blood, Alyn Velaryon, who will be played by Abubakar Salim. Season 1 starred Golden Globe-nominated actor Emma D’Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen and Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower.House of the Dragon Season 2 is expected to premiere on HBO and its streaming service, Max, in the summer of 2024.