The third season of HBO’s House of the Dragon is set to premiere on June 21, featuring ambitious battle sequences that promise to surpass anything previously seen on television, according to series showrunner and co-creator Ryan Condal.
Record-Breaking Stunts
During a panel at SXSW London, a teaser highlighted the scale of the production, including a scene with 23 stunt performers ignited in one take, setting a new world record. Condal emphasized the uniqueness of these sequences, stating, “These sequences, I will confidently say, are unlike anything that’s ever been done on television before.”
The Battle of the Gullet, a pivotal moment in the series, marks the onset of the Targaryen civil war. The upcoming season opens with this naval battle, described as the bloodiest in Westerosi history.
Building the Battle
Condal, alongside production designer Jim Clay and physical producer Kevin de la Noy, oversaw the construction of elaborate sets for this battle. The episode required a wet tank, a dry tank, an underwater tank, and four boat sets, utilizing three million liters of water to achieve the desired effect.
“The amount of construction that you guys did for just the one episode is kind of crazy and frankly irresponsible,” Condal joked, noting the necessity of such production efforts to portray this significant event.
Character Dynamics and Challenges
Season three picks up immediately following the events of season two, with Rhaenyra, played by Emma D’Arcy, and her allies, including Lord Corlys Velaryon, a.k.a. “The Sea Snake” (Steve Toussaint), engaging in naval warfare against King Aegon II’s forces.
Abigail Thorn, who portrays Admiral Sharako Lohar, humorously recounted her ship's name, “Bitchfist,” and shared insights into the rigorous stunt training required for the role.
“All the stunt team have doubled for superheroes in the past!” Thorn noted, highlighting the high level of expertise involved in the production.
On-Set Humor and Future Plans
Filming coincided with production on HBO’s new Harry Potter series, leading to humorous interactions between the two sets. Condal recounted the surreal experience of shooting near the Harry Potter set, creating a unique crossover of fantasy worlds.
As for future seasons, Condal expressed a clear limit, stating with humor, “I can do four,” amidst laughter from the audience.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/house-of-the-dragon-battle-secrets-season-3-sxsw-london-1236614904/
