The Game of Thrones prequel sheds two episodes as plans are drawn for the show’s future. 

Thanks to exclusive news via Deadline, we’ve learned that House of the Dragon Season 2 will be briefer than its first run. With the show’s production expected to recommence this summer, it seems they’ll only be making eight episodes. Season 1 played out its story over ten episodes and incorporated a couple of time jumps.

However, the report stresses that HBO are framing the reduction as story-driven, rather than an issue of confidence. It’s worth noting that House of the Dragon gained a swiftly recommissioned after its debut.

Showrunner Ryan Condal, working with author/executive producer George R.R. Martin have apparently taken the opportunity to map out the third season too. This involves crucially working out which battles to show and when. With a portion of the planned Season 2 storyline shifting to Season 3, Deadine’s Nellie Andreeva suggests that a greenlight for that third run is not far off. This brings the benefit of reducing the gap in between seasons.

Unlike its Westerosi predecessor, House of the Dragon is chronicling a set of events that have been, at least in outline, written. The “Dance of the Dragons” draws on Martin’s book Fire & Blood, while the more expansive Game of Thrones storyline overtook a book series that still remains unfinished.

We’ll keep you posted on House of the Dragon Season 2.