House of the Dragon co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik exits the series

House of the Dragon is a huge hit on HBO, so this news comes as a bit of a surprise. Per The Hollywood Reporter, showrunner Miguel Sapochnik is exiting the series.

Sapochnik directed some of the biggest episodes of Game of Thrones, including “Hardhome,” “Battle of the Bastards” and “The Winds of Winter.” He developed House of the Dragon with Ryan Condal. After having spent several seasons in Westeros, Sapochnik was hesitant to return, telling THR back in July that he “went through a lot of vacillating.” He helped put together the first season, but apparently that old feeling caught back up with him.

“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,” Sapochnik says in a statement. “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.”

One of the two showrunners on House of the Dragon leaves

Although Sapochnik is leaving as showrunner, he will remain an executive producer. Moreover, HBO is bringing in director Alan Taylor to help with season 2. Taylor is an HBO veteran who worked on shows like The Sopranos and Rome before directing several important episodes of Game of Thrones, including “Baelor” and “Fire and Blood,” which featured the execution of Ned Stark and the birth of Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons respectively. “I am deeply comforted to know that Alan will be joining the series,” Sapochnik continued. “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.”

Notably, it doesn’t sound like Taylor will join the show as a co-showrunner, exactly — THR reports that Condal will be the sole showrunner now, continuing to work together with author George R.R. Martin — but he’ll have more responsibility than just directing a couple episodes next season. “It’s a pleasure and an honor to be back at HBO, immersing myself in the world of the Targaryens, I look forward to working closely with Ryan as House of the Dragon grows into its second season,” Taylor said in his own statement. “Ryan, Miguel and George have launched an extraordinary story, in a rich and fascinating world. Returning to Westeros will be a huge undertaking and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Sapochnik is very talented, so this is a shame to hear. He’ll have done important work establishing the style and tone of House of the Dragon in the first season, so at least there will be some runway for other filmmakers to use. And who knows? Maybe he can come back as a director at some point.

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