House of the Dragon, Game of Thrones Spinoff Scores Series Order at HBO

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HBO is officially headed back to the wonderful world of Westeros. 

The network has given a 10-episode, straight-to-series order to HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, a Game of Thrones prequel co-created by George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal.

The Next Battle - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 4

Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal will partner as showrunners and will also serve as executive producers along with George R.R. Martin and Vince Gerardis, it was just announced at WarnerMedia Day by Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming.

Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series, which is set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen.

Saying Goodbye - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 4

Miguel Sapochnik is on board to direct the pilot and additional episodes.

Condal and Sapochnik will partner as showrunners on the series, which will be penned by Condal.

Related: Game of Thrones Long Night Prequel Dead at HBO

“The ‘Game of Thrones’ universe is so rich with stories,” says Casey Bloys, president, HBO programming.

“We look forward to exploring the origins of House Targaryen and the earlier days of Westeros along with Miguel, Ryan, and George.”

Farewell, Home - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 5

House of the Dragon marks Sapochnik’s first project as part of an HBO overall deal where he will develop and produce content for both HBO and HBO Max.

Miguel Sapochnik won an Emmy® for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series as well as the DGA Award for Game of Thrones Season 6 Episode 9, “Battle of The Bastards.”

Related: Game of Thrones Targaryen Prequel Near Pilot Order at HBO

He was nominated for another Emmy® in 2019 for directing Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 3, “The Long Night,” and won the Emmy® for Best Drama Series as an Executive Producer for the final season.

Lighting Up the Sky - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 5

In total, Sapochnik has directed six episodes of the series, including Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 8, “Hardhome” and Game of Thrones Season 6 Episode 10, “Winds of Winter,” in addition to the episodes previously noted.

He also directed the film “Bios” for Amblin Studios, starring Tom Hanks, which debuts in the fall of 2020. Previously, Sapochnik directed episodes of True Detective for HBO and Banshee for CINEMAX.

Ryan Condal was the co-creator and showrunner of “Colony” for three seasons. He was the writer of MGM’s Hercules and is currently adapting the graphic novel Analog as a feature for Lionsgate.

Daenerys Smiles - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 2

The news comes mere hours after it was announced that a prequel from Jane Goldman and starring Naomi Watts, focusing on the Golden Age of Heroes, was not moving beyond the pilot stage. 

What are your thoughts on this news?

Hit the comments below. 

Remember, you can watch Game of Thrones online right here via TV Fanatic. 

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