House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal has responded to author George R.R. Martin's critiques of the show's second season, describing the Game of Thrones creator's public remarks as "disappointing." The tension stems from Martin's August 2024 blog post where he vowed to detail issues with the show's adaptation choices, specifically questioning plot developments involving Aegon and Helaena's children.

The author's critical post later disappeared from his website, though not before sparking widespread discussion among fans and HBO executives. In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Condal addressed the controversy, revealing the creative rift with Martin has been particularly painful given their long collaborative history.

"It was disappointing," Condal admitted. "I've been immersed in A Song of Ice and Fire for nearly 25 years, and working on this adaptation has been both a professional honor and a personal dream. George is not just a literary icon whose work shaped my career – he's been someone I deeply admire."

The showrunner explained the inherent challenges of adapting Martin's Fire & Blood, describing it as "an incomplete historical record" requiring significant creative interpretation. "We worked closely with George for years, maintaining what I believed was a productive partnership," Condal noted. "But ultimately, practical production realities required decisions that diverged from his vision."

Condal emphasized his dual responsibilities: "As showrunner, I must balance creative integrity with production logistics. Every choice undergoes years of deliberation before reaching viewers. Our goal isn't just to please book fans – we're crafting a show for a global television audience."

Despite the current tension, HBO continues developing multiple Martin-inspired projects, including the forthcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – which the author has praised as a "faithful adaptation" – and potential Targaryen-focused spinoffs, though some planned series have been temporarily shelved.

The House of the Dragon team recently began filming Season 3, building on the show's successful second installment (which earned a 7/10 in IGN's review). While creative differences remain, Condal expressed hope for renewed collaboration: "I can only hope George and I rediscover our creative harmony moving forward."