Exciting things are brewing over on Westeros. While HBO has decided to cancel several of the originally planned spin-offs following the controversial conclusion of Game of Thrones, the success of House of the Dragon has reinvigorated its interest in the fantasy drama universe that’s based on George R.R. Martin’s line of creative works. With House of the Dragon Season 2 set to premiere later this year, HBO is looking to get the jump on audiences by possibly releasing Season 3 early by starting production on it as early as later this month.
Redanian Intelligence, a reliable source for all things related to Westeros (and the Continent), has reported that Season 3 has entered active development. This includes the scriptwriting phase and other preliminary stages. According to the outlet, “work on House of the Dragon Season 3, such as active script writing and other very early things, begin fully this month, January 2024.” This timeline suggests that filming could potentially start in late 2024 or early 2025, although exact dates are yet to be confirmed.
George R.R. Martin himself has been closely involved in the series’ development. He recently shared valuable insights from his discussions with the show’s writing staff, including Ryan Condal, Sara Hess, Ti Mikkel, David Hancock, and Philippa Goslett, about the upcoming seasons. Martin’s involvement indicates a continued commitment to maintaining the authenticity and richness of the source material.
Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood, House of the Dragon chronicles the infamous Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
So far, the first season has been a resounding success, defying initial skepticism and garnering a viewership rivaling the best seasons of Game of Thrones.
To no one’s surprise, the series has quickly become a staple in HBO’s roster, presumably alternating annual releases with The Last of Us, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the Westeros universe. Following the overwhelming response to the first season, the momentum continues with the development of Season 3 already underway.
The success of House of the Dragon has led to the expansion of the Game of Thrones universe, with other spinoffs in development. One notable project is Nine Voyages, which focuses on the voyages of Corlys Velaryon, also known as the Sea Snake. Initially planned as a live-action series, it has since shifted to an animated format due to the high production costs associated with its elaborate set pieces.
Looking ahead, HBO has a packed release schedule for Westeros-related content. Aside from the premiere of House of the Dragon Season 2 in Summer 2024, the Dunk & Egg series is expected to start filming in Spring 2024 as well ahead of its release sometime in 2025.
The schedule for the Game of Thrones universe currently looks like this:
- Summer 2024: House of the Dragon Season 2
- 2025: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1
- 2026: House of the Dragon Season 3
It’s safe to say that, with House of the Dragon Season 3’s production starting, fans have much to look forward to in the coming years.
