‘Game of Thrones’ prequel pilot praised by George R.R. Martin: ‘It’s dark, powerful, visceral’

George R.R. Martin takes part in a book signing on July 3, 2014 in Dijon, eastern France. Image: AFP/Philippe Merle

“Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin has given his stamp of approval to the upcoming prequel series “House of the Dragon” after he viewed a rough cut of its first episode.

The author sang praises for the new series, along with its cast and crew in his blog post last Wednesday, Dec. 29. This comes after “House of the Dragon” was named Internet Movie Database’s (IMDb) most anticipated TV show of 2022.

Martin believes that he is “hardly objective” when it comes to “House of the Dragon” since he is eagerly anticipating its release. Nonetheless, he revealed that he saw a rough cut of the show’s first episode and he liked it.

“[Mum’s] the word now, don’t tell anyone… I’ve seen a rough cut of the first episode. And loved it,” he told fans. “It’s dark, it’s powerful, it’s visceral… just the way I like my epic fantasy.”

Martin commended the show’s cast, as well as showrunners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik for doing an “amazing job.”

“[Just] as with Game of Thrones, most viewers will only have heard of a few of the actors, but I think you are going to fall in love with a lot of them,” he said. “I think the Targaryens are in very good hands.”

The author then encouraged fans to stay excited about the series’ release because he believes it will not disappoint viewers.

“House of the Dragon,” adapted from Martin’s novel “Fire & Blood,” revisits the history of House Targaryen and its battles 200 years prior to the events in “Game of Thrones.” Clare Kilner, Geeta V. Patel and Greg Yaitanes will direct.

The series stars Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith, among others. JB

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