George R.R. Martin details creative disputes behind House of the Dragon

George R.R. Martin has spoken candidly about creative disagreements that emerged during the production of HBO’s House of the Dragon. 

The author revealed that his relationship with showrunner Ryan Condal deteriorated as the series progressed beyond its first season.

According to Martin, collaboration during season one was strong, with open communication and frequent script discussions. However, he said that dynamic changed during season two, when his notes and feedback were increasingly ignored. Martin expressed frustration over character changes that he felt altered key plot points from his source material.

The tension became public in 2024 when Martin posted a blog entry criticizing aspects of the adaptation. The post was later removed at HBO’s request but sparked widespread discussion among fans and media outlets. Sources say the dispute escalated during a private Zoom call, after which Martin was briefly asked to step back from the series before later being reintegrated.

HBO acknowledged the disagreements, stating that while Martin’s input is valued, final creative decisions must balance storytelling, production constraints, and long-term planning. Condal has previously said he attempted to include Martin but faced practical limitations in adapting the story for television.

Martin emphasized that fidelity to the source material remains deeply important to him, noting that he views his characters as personal creations. Despite the conflicts, House of the Dragon continues as a major pillar of HBO’s fantasy slate.

The revelations highlight the challenges of adapting beloved literary works while balancing creative vision, studio demands, and fan expectations.