Overview
- The six-episode prequel premiered January 18 on HBO/Max in the US and rolled out on Sky/Now in the UK, with weekly installments running 30–40 minutes.
- Early coverage emphasizes a smaller, character-driven tone with humor and warmth in contrast to earlier Thrones series.
- A widely discussed opening gag drew surprise from George R.R. Martin, with showrunner Ira Parker framing it as a character moment rather than a dig at the franchise.
- HBO’s “Weeks Ahead” trailer drew backlash from viewers who felt it revealed too much, though reports note it did not disclose major twists.
- Reported Rotten Tomatoes scores hover near 88% from critics and 78% from audiences, and HBO executives positioned the series with a leaner budget reportedly under $10 million per episode.