Yes, you read that right.
Mother Nature apparently has no respect for production schedules—or for George R.R. Martin’s world-building.
By now, you’ve probably heard the news: HBO has officially abandoned its Gran Canaria set for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2. Why? Because Storm Therese decided to show up and turn the Las Niñas Dam into something straight out of the Riverlands during a rainy spring.
We’re talking historic flooding. The kind that happens once every 15 years. The kind that turns your “perfect barren desert location” into a swampy mess.
And yes — the irony is painfully delicious.
The Drought Season That Wasn’t
Season 2 is adapting The Sworn Sword, the second Dunk & Egg novella. If you’ve read it, you know: this is the one where the Reach is dry, dusty, and desperate for water. The hills are brown. The grain fields are brittle. Drought is basically a character in the story.
So HBO did the logical thing: they picked Gran Canaria for its arid, desert-like landscape. Perfect, right?
Except… then it rained. Hard. For the first time in a decade at that location.
Showrunner Ira Parker put it best:
“The location that was meant to be our dry riverbed is now a fully flowing river.”
You can’t make this stuff up.
What Happens Now?
Production has been rushed over to mainland Spain (the drier Peninsula), where they’ll try to recreate the drought-stricken look they originally booked the Canary Islands for. Crews have evacuated the flooded site, which is now unusable at least through mid-2026.
Interior scenes? Still safe at Belfast’s Titanic Studios. Thank the old gods and the new for that.
But let’s be real: this is going to cause delays. And for a fandom that’s been waiting on The Winds of Winter for… let’s not do that math… any delay stings a little more.
Fans Are Having a Field Day (Pun Intended)
Naturally, the internet is doing what the internet does best: memes, sarcasm, and existential Westerosi dread.
“HBO wanted a drought. Mother Nature gave them a flood. Never bet against the elements.”
“First The Winds of Winter, now this. Water is the real enemy of ASOIAF fans.”
And yeah… it’s funny. But it’s also a bummer, because Season 1 was genuinely charming, and Dexter Sol Ansell as young Egg? Perfect casting.
So When Will We Actually Get Season 2?
Right now, the plan is still for a 2027 release. Parker says they’re trying to move quickly — ideally one season per year — but this flood setback is no joke.
The good news? The showrunner promises Season 2 will stay very faithful to the book, just like Season 1.
“Little flourishes here and there, but it should all feel inherent to the world and to Dunk’s POV.”
Also, HBO’s CEO has already hinted at a possible Season 3 and beyond — assuming George has more stories to tell. (Spoiler: he does. Whether they’re written yet is another conversation.)
One Last Thing…
If you’re worried about Dexter Sol Ansell growing up too fast for the role — don’t be. Parker has thought about that too. The plan is to follow Egg’s whole life, with tone and location shifting as he ages. And if they need an older actor down the line? House of the Dragon already set a precedent with Milly Alcock → Emma D’Arcy.
So yeah. We’ll get there.
Just… maybe keep an umbrella handy for the next location scout.
What do you think? Are you worried about the delay, or just thankful we’re getting more Dunk & Egg at all? Drop your thoughts below — and let’s all collectively knock on wood for the next filming site. 🌧️⚔️
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