Don’t expect House of the Dragon season 2 until 2024

For the first six years of its life, Game of Thrones released new seasons at a rate of one per year. The final two seasons, however, came out further apart. Why was this?

Well, probably because the final two seasons really ramped up the amount of special effects and spectacular set pieces, which take a lot of time to put together. For better or worse, many shows have picked up on this. The Rings of Power, The Witcher, The Wheel of Time, Westworld…if you’re a big splashy fantasy show these days, odds are you’re releasing seasons two years apart. Given how complicated these sorts of show have become, there really isn’t another choice.

And that’s true of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel show House of the Dragon, which wrapped up its first season the other week. HBO executive Casey Bloys told Vulture what we basically already knew: “Don’t expect [House of the Dragon season 2] in ’23, but I think sometime in ’24,” he said. “We’re just starting to put the plan together, and just like last time, there are so many unknowns. It’s not to be coy or secretive, but you don’t want to say it’s going to be ready on this date, and then you have to move it.”

We won’t get another new Game of Thrones spinoff before House of the Dragon season 2

So House of the Dragon season 2 isn’t coming out for at least two years. As much as it sucks, we expected it. But what about a spinoff? HBO has a lot in development, including an adaptation of George R.R. Martin Dunk and Egg novellas as well as a Jon Snow sequel show. Now that House of the Dragon is a certified hit, they may want to put another one or two on the fast track to the small screen. Bloys wouldn’t reveal any specifics, but we shouldn’t expect to see any spinoffs before the next season of House of the Dragon:

"I think probably the next thing would be season two. I try not to comment too much on development, so there’s not a whole lot to say, other than when we find the story that George is happy with and we’re happy with, we’ll move forward."

Basically, HBO is taking its sweet time with this whole Game of Thrones Cinematic Universe thing, which I think is the right choice. But in theory, might it one day have two GoT series running at once, so that while we’re waiting for a new season of the one we could watch a new season of the other and never again have to wait two whole years? “Well, let’s see,” Bloys laughed. “That would be nice.”

Yes it would.

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels