House of the Dragon Creator Fires Back at Toxic Fandom: “We Have So Turned Against Ourselves”

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People have always had opinions, ever since humans began thinking. But it’s only recently, historically speaking, that everyone has a way to share those opinions widely. Ryan Condal, the showrunner for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has certainly experienced this firsthand.

In 2022, Condal experienced firsthand how intensely negative some Game of Thrones fans could be, reacting strongly even to small details they didn’t like within the show’s world.

A lot of the criticism surrounding House of the Dragon stemmed from the showrunner’s choice to cast Milly Alcock (who later starred in Supergirl) and Emily Carey (Wonder Woman, Tomb Raider) as young Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, and then quickly age the characters with new actors – Emma D’Arcy (Truth Seekers) and Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One) – taking over those roles.

House of the Dragon Creator Fires Back at Haters

The situation sparked a wave of criticism, with many people seemingly quick to judge a decision they might not have otherwise questioned. This is what particularly angered Conlay, who recently responded to online critics, suggesting they unfairly claimed they could handle the job better than he could.

The internet often creates a negative environment within fandoms, turning fans against each other. It’s disappointing because these communities used to be positive spaces where people could connect over shared interests. It’s especially upsetting for the young actors who achieved something remarkable and faced a difficult challenge.

He added that everyone should have been enjoying the show’s success, and suggested people focus their energy on other things instead.

This is a developing story so be sure to check back momentarily for more info!

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2026-05-20 20:36