The strikes from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have had a substantial effect on the schedules for movie and TV projects. As studios clutch their extra small percentages and fawn over AI technology, the drawn-out strikes have delayed a number of shows’ upcoming seasons. George R.R. Martin stated to his fans that his contract with HBO has been suspended, and now it is being revealed by The Hollywood Reporter that season 2 of his spin-off from the popular Game of Thrones series, House of the Dragon, will be premiering some time early in the summer of next year.
HBO chief Casey Bloys made the announcement in a press event early on Thursday. Bloys explained that the show has indeed wrapped filming on its second season, and it is currently in post-production. Also, according to The Hollywood Reporter, “The executive also revealed its next Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, hopes to begin shooting in the spring. While no casting has yet been announced given the SAG-AFTRA strike, it seems likely the company has some names in mind if they’re looking to shoot that soon.” He added that they are developing additional Game of Thrones prequels at the network, but none of them have been greenlighted at this time.
Additionally, season 2 of House of the Dragon has a trailer that’s been edited and was screened for the press. However, it was screened with the condition that none of the details of the trailer can be publicly described. So, I guess the main takeaway for the general audience is…there’s a trailer in existence. The cast for season 2 of the series includes Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham.
Meanwhile, The Hedge Knight is based on author Martin’s popular trio of Dunk and Egg novellas. The synopsis reads, “A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros … a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.”