After years of anticipation, the highly-anticipated prequel House of the Dragon has already arrived with a ground-breaking viewership record on HBO Max. The Game of Thrones prequel centers on House Targaryen set 200 years before Daenerys Targaryen was born and conquered for the Iron Throne.
Director Miguel Sapochnik Exits House of The Dragon – Introduces Another Game of Thrones Veteran for Season 2
House of the Dragon was indeed worth wait as the prequel's first episode had already defied all expectations after featuring jaw-dropping sequences like Aemma Arryn's horrifying birth scene and Rhaenyra Targaryen's coronation as the heir to the Iron Throne. All praises to director Miguel Sapochnik, who directed the premiere episode, which accumulated an impressive 10 million views.
Sadly, House of the Dragon is confirmed to be Sapochnik's last project inside the Game of Thrones franchise after he revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he is now leaving the series, and also welcomed Alan Taylor, who will serve as an executive producer and director for some episodes in the newly-renewed House of the Dragon Season 2. See Sapochnik's statement below:
"Working within the Thrones universe for the past few years has been an honor and a privilege, especially spending the last two with the amazing cast and crew of House of the Dragon. I am so proud of what we accomplished with season 1 and overjoyed by the enthusiastic reaction of our viewers. It was incredibly tough to decide to move on, but I know that it is the right choice for me, personally and professionally. As I do so, though, I am deeply comforted to know that Alan will be joining the series. He’s someone I’ve known and respected for a long time, and I believe this precious series could not be in safer hands. I am so glad to remain a part of the HBO and House of the Dragon family and, of course, I wish Ryan and his team success and all the best with season 2 and beyond.”
Although Sapochnik didn't much shed some light on the reason for his departure, there's no doubt that he left a mark that will probably last forever in the Game of Thrones franchise. Sapochnik has helmed several prominent Game of Thrones episodes including Season 8's third episode The Long Night and the fifth episode The Bells.
Nonetheless, Sapochnik will remain as an executive producer for the show alongside Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin. Aside from that, it's also interesting to see what director Alan Taylor – who helmed a total of seven episodes in Game of Thrones, including Season 1's most pivotal moment: the bloody beheading of Ned Stark and the birth of Daenerys Targaryen's Dragons.
House of the Dragon is available to stream on HBO Max.
Also read: How Game of Thrones Spoiled House of the Dragon Not Once, But Twice
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