House of the Dragon creator George RR Martin has revealed how he wanted the first series of the show to begin – and it’s very different to the first episode.
The Game of Thrones prequel series, which finished its first season last month, tracks the history of the Targaryen family.
The series has proved a hit with fans, praising the performances from its all-star cast including Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, and Paddy Considine.
However, Fire and Blood author George RR Martin revealed there are some changes he would make to the first series of the show.
Speaking to fellow fantasy writer David Anthony Durham, Martin, 74, revealed the creators of the show discussed at which point in the story to begin the series.
The author revealed one suggested they should begin with the death of Aemma, the wife of King Viserys, while another said the series should start with the King’s death.
But Martin had another idea in mind.
‘I would’ve begun it like 40 years earlier, with an episode I would’ve called The Heir and the Spare,’ Martin said. ‘Jaehaerys’ two sons, Aemon and Baelon, are alive, and we see the friendship but also the rivalry between the two sides of the great house.
‘Then Aemon dies accidentally when a Myrish crossbowman shoots him by accident on Tarth, then Jaehaerys has to decide who becomes the new heir.
‘Is it the daughter of the son who’s just died, or the second son who has children of his own and is a man where she’s a teenager?’
Martin said he was the only person excited by this idea, and setting the story 40 years earlier would have presented complications such as more time jumps and recastings.
Following the success of the first series, fans will be delighted to hear a second series of House Of The Dragon has been confirmed.
The show was renewed for season 2 just four days after the premiere, which means we will get to see how the next stage of the conflict between the Greens and the Blacks plays out after the explosive series 1 finale.
House of The Dragon is available to stream on NOW.
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