Miguel Sapochnik departs House of the Dragon
David Farnor | On 01, Sep 2022
Co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik is stepping down from HBO’s House of the Dragon.
The Games of Thrones prequel, set 200 years before the events of the hit fantasy series, is based on George RR Martin’s Fire & Blood and tells the story of House Targaryen. At the heart of it is King Viserys I. About 100 years after Aegon’s Conquest, Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed Jaehaerys Targaryen, the Old King, on the Great Council at Harrenhal. His aim in life is to carry on his grandfather’s legacy, but Viserys’ children – Rhaenyra and Aegon II – ultimately go on to fight a civil war known as the Dance of Dragons.
Starring Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint and Eve Best, the series has been a hit since it debuted last month, with HBO rapidly ordering a second season. However, the show will be moving forward without a key creative talent: Miguel Sapochnik.
Sapochnik is a veteran of the Game of Thrones world, directing such famous episodes as Battle of the Bastards and Hardhome. He also helmed the Tom Hanks sci-fi Finch, which was acquired and released by Apple TV+ last year.
After reportedly a lot of back and forthing, he decided to join House of the Dragon, working with co-showruner Ryan Condal for years on the project. He has also directed Episode 6 and 7 of this first season. Now, though, he’s exiting the series, with Condal serving as the sole showrunner.
Sapochnik won’t be parting ways with HBO, however: as well as officially remaining an EP on House of the Dragon, he has also entered into a first-look deal to develop new projects for HBO.
Meanwhile, another Thrones veteran, Alan Taylor, has been hired as an executive producer and to direct multiple episodes of Season 2.
“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 said in a statement. “I am so proud of what we accomplished with season one 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. As I do so, though, I am deeply comforted to know that Alan will be joining the series. 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 two and beyond.”
Taylor added: “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. 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.”
HBO commented: “Miguel Sapochnik has done amazing work on the first season of House of the Dragon, establishing its signature look and feel. This series simply could not have come together the way it did without him. While we would have loved to have Miguel continue in the same role, we are thrilled to have his ongoing collaboration in this new creative capacity. Looking forward, we’ve had a decades-long relationship with Alan Taylor, and we are delighted to have him join Ryan and rest the talented team.”