'House of the Dragon' showrunner explains Rhaenyra’s major finale change from book

House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal has explained why the season three finale made a major change to George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood, with Rhaenyra Targaryen publicly revealing the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy to the people of King’s Landing.

The moment differs from Martin’s book, which does not include Rhaenyra making such a declaration or publicly discussing the prophecy about the White Walkers and the Prince Who Was Promised.

Speaking during a press conference about the season three finale, Condal addressed why the revelation does not appear in the historical accounts depicted in Fire and Blood. He said, "Targaryens say crazy shit all the time."

Condal explained that Rhaenyra’s increasingly authoritarian behaviour in the series provided context for how such a speech could have been perceived by those watching her.

"It's not in the book and it's not in the history, but there is a bunch of talk about how Rhaenyra became very despotic, and became a tyrant at the end, and was very unpopular with the people," says Condal.

"So much of [the Targaryens'] existence is their self-aggrandizement. For the stonemasons standing there in the crowd just looking up at this [speech], it could just sound like somebody trying to make something of themselves."

The showrunner said the writers wanted the scene to create "a real seismic change, a sea change in Rhaenyra's relationship to her people." The revelation comes shortly after she orders the execution of a religious leader and political rival.

Emma D'Arcy, who plays Rhaenyra, also discussed the political implications of the character's changing relationship with power.

"Power turns out to be incredibly fragile, and that, seats of power — their sort of apparent stability, can also turn out to be illusory," says D'Arcy. "It's a conversation which remains very pertinent. How do you manage the ego? How do you manage the human ego in the political sphere? That feels like a pressing question."