Author George R. R. Martin has some high praise for the first season of the Game of Thrones spinoff series. Dubbed House of the Dragon, the new show is set hundreds of years before the events of Game of Thrones, following an all-new cast of characters while fleshing out more of the universe first established by its parent series. While HBO hasn't yet set an official release date for the series, Martin has revealed in his blog that the first season has wrapped filming.

"Exciting news out of London — I am informed that shooting has WRAPPED for the first season of House of the Dragon. Yes, all ten episodes," Martin says, going on to compliment the cast and crew based on what he's seen so far. "I have seen rough cuts of a few of them, and I’m loving them. Of course, a lot more work needs to be done. Special effects, color timing, score, all the post production work. But the writing, the directing, the acting all look terrific. I hope you will like them as much as I do. My hat is off to Ryan and Miguel and their team, and to our amazing cast."

House of the Dragon was co-created by Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik. The two also serve as series showrunners, with Condal penning the pilot script and Sapochnik directing the pilot and multiple episodes. Martin, Condal, and Sapochnik are executive producing alongside writer Sara Lee Hess, Vince Gerardis, and Ron Schmidt. Greg Yaitanes, who directs other episodes with Clare Kilner and Geeta V. Patel, co-executive produces.

The series stars Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Lady Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Lord Coryls Velaryon, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Faben Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, and Graham McTAvish as Ser Harrold Westerling. Also featured are Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon, John Macmillan as Ser Laenor Velaryon, Savannah Steyn as Lady Laena Velayron, and Theo Nate as Ser Laenor Velaryon.

Related: House of the Dragon: 5 Reasons Why We're Excited About the Game of Thrones Spinoff

House of the Dragon Is One of Many Game of Thrones Spinoffs

House of the Dragon photo #1
HBO

In 2021, it was reported that several spinoffs are in development at HBO. One prequel series would be based on Martin's novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg. Other planned prequels include a series about the voyages of Corlys Velaryon on the Sea Snake and a story about Flea Bottom. It was also reported that two animated series set in the Game of Thrones universe are also in development at HBO Max.

This is not to say every planned Game of Thrones spinoff is going to work out. A pilot had been filmed for another spinoff series featuring Naomi Watts in a lead role. HBO ultimately passed on the series, though the cabler remained committed to House of the Dragon by giving that show a full season order. As of now, House of the Dragon doesn't have an official release date, but it's expected to premiere sometime in 2022, perhaps even as early as this summer.

"So when will you get to see it, you ask? When will the dragons dance? I wish I could tell you," George R. R. Martin says in his blog post. "Lots of work remains to be done, as I said, and covid makes planning difficult. This spring? Unlikely. Maybe summer? Could be. Fall? Who knows? You’ll know when we do."