Making a show as large as House of the Dragon means dealing with millions of opinions. Fans debate every decision, actors bring their own interpretations to characters, and writers constantly weigh competing ideas. But according to Ryan Condal, the key to successful storytelling isn’t letting any one voice take control. Instead, it’s about finding a balance between vision and collaboration, something he says has helped make the HBO drama stronger every season.
Quick read:
- Ryan Condal values actor feedback.
- Audience opinions can’t dictate the story.
- Emma D’Arcy has shaped Rhaenyra’s journey.
Condal believes great storytelling is a two-way street
Speaking to Backstage, Condal explained that showrunners need to remain open to feedback without surrendering creative control.
“Great showrunners let the show come to them, and that doesn’t mean you totally let your audience or collaborators dictate what the show is, but it has to be a two-way street. You have to be open enough to receive sometimes challenging input.”
One collaborator he specifically highlighted was Emma D’Arcy, who plays Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Condal praised D’Arcy as a thoughtful storyteller who often approaches the narrative from a completely different perspective than the writers’ room.
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“Emma’s this incredibly deep-thinking intellectual storyteller and really does tell their story through Rhaenyra.”
He added that D’Arcy’s feedback has helped him better understand Rhaenyra’s perspective, often revealing story insights he might not otherwise see because he’s managing multiple character viewpoints simultaneously.
HBO
Actor feedback helps shape the final version of the show
Condal also revealed that actor collaboration is built directly into the production process.
According to the showrunner, the cast spends weeks rehearsing and reviewing scripts before filming begins, giving everyone an opportunity to contribute ideas and discuss character motivations. He credited the cast’s classical training and storytelling mindset for making those conversations productive rather than ego-driven.
“Every year, we finish the scripts and then have this six-week period where we rehearse, table read all the scripts, and that gives us time to do a final polish with all the actor feedback.”
For Condal, that process has consistently improved the series.
“And it has consistently made the show better.”
At a time when television fandoms often push creators to react to online discourse, Condal’s comments offer a different philosophy. Listen to feedback, respect collaborators, but don’t let audiences or individual voices dictate the story. For House of the Dragon, he believes the best results come from trust, discussion, and a shared commitment to making the strongest show possible.
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