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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner Ira Parker is nearly finished filming his HBO fantasy hit’s second season — and not a moment too soon.
The production largely shifted from Northern Ireland to Spain to adapt George R.R. Martin’s second Dunk and Egg novella, “The Sworn Sword,” and has been beset by apocalyptic flooding in the Canary Islands. But Parker also has plenty of reason to celebrate: The show’s debut season — which follows a wandering hedge knight (Peter Caffrey) and his diminutive squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) — is nominated for nine Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series, and has been a critical and ratings success that’s breathed new life into the Thrones franchise.
Below, Parker wearily took a break from filming and editing season two to chat with The Hollywood Reporter about his recent challenges, his bold long-term vision for the show, those Emmy noms and his all-time favorite moments from the original Game of Thrones (including one “controversial” choice).
Okay, so you’re almost done filming season two. Which season was harder?
