House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal discusses Miguel Sapochnik’s departure from the show

Miguel Sapochnik, director for some of the best Game of Thrones episodes, and showrunner on House of the Dragon, recently announced his departure from the show after season 1. Now his co-showrunner Ryan Condal has addressed the news. “It was definitely in Miguel’s mind,” Condal shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

Sources claim that Sapochnik’s decision to step down is due to fatigue from being involved with the franchise for long. Condal shared some light on this incident.

“He’s definitely lived in Westeros for a really long time. I was always potentially aware that he might have just set this one season up on his feet and got the feather in his cap of doing a show that he co-ran and had a hand in the conception and casting and making of, versus the original series where he definitely became a producer at the end, was certainly I think [Thrones showrunners] David [Benioff] and Dan [“D.B.” Weiss]’s most trusted filmmaker, but not in the way that he participated in House of the Dragon. So it was always in the back of my mind.”

Condal had nothing but nice things to say about Sapochnik. He continued:

“I think at the end, he felt like he had said what he had to say. He’s a tremendously talented filmmaker, which is obvious from the work that everybody is seeing and will continue to see with episode 5 and 7. I think there’s lots of stories that he has left to tell. And honestly, as a fan of his, I’m excited to see where he goes next.”

Sapochnik has a first-look deal with HBO to develop multiple projects. Therefore, fans can rest assured that this would not be the last of his work on the network. Besides, he has directed episodes 6 and 7 of the House of the Dragon.

In place of Sapochnik, HBO executives have roped in American director Alan Taylor, who will also be an executive producer alongside taking the director’s chair for season 2. Co-creator Condal is looking forward to collaborating with Taylor,  he said, “It was just a fast friendship that we developed. I’m excited to work with Alan and see what he brings to House to the Dragon.”

How do you think the show will change for Season 2? Let us know in the comment section.

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