Author George RR Martin has criticised the second series of House Of The Dragon, saying he “argued against” a plot change because it now creates a “butterfly effect” for future episodes.

The writer, who is co-creator and an executive producer on the show, warned in a since-deleted blog post “there are larger and more toxic butterflies to come”.

Martin had previously said he would share “everything that’s gone wrong” with the adaptation of HBO’s House Of The Dragon, which is partly based on his book Fire & Blood and is the prequel to the hit series, Game Of Thrones.

In the lengthy blog post, he described a disagreement about removing a character, Prince Maelor, from the plot – insisting it has larger repercussions for series three and four.

He said: “The prince’s birth was no longer just going to be pushed back to series three. He was never going to be born at all. The younger son of Aegon and Helaena would never appear.”

Martin said there were practical reasons against casting another child, including the cost.

But he said showrunner Ryan Condal previously “assured me that we were not losing Prince Maelor, simply postponing him” after the author had initially “argued against” dropping the character from the second series.

In a statement reported by showbiz news website Deadline, HBO defended Mr Condal: “Commonly, when adapting a book for the screen, with its own format and limitations, the showrunner ultimately is required to make difficult choices about the characters and stories the audience will follow.

“We believe that Ryan Condal and his team have done an extraordinary job and the millions of fans the series has amassed over the first two series will continue to enjoy it.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Martin went on to compare the HBO series with Fire & Blood, which the show is based on.

He said his book features Aegon and Helaena Targaryen – played by Tom Glynn-Carney and Phia Saban, respectively – who have twins Jaehaera and Jaehaerys along with a younger son, Maelor.

But he said in the show the couple only have the twins.

He said: “Maelor is a two-year-old toddler in Fire & Blood, but like our butterfly he has an impact on the story all out of proportion to his size.”

He argued the changes “may make sense in terms of budgets and shooting schedules. But simpler is not better”.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Read more from Sky News:
Jeremy Kyle appears at inquest into death of show guest
Scottish minister queued online for Oasis tickets during meeting

On a recent episode of HBO’s official House Of The Dragon podcast, Mr Condal explained “we had to make some compromises in rendering the story” when it came to eliminating the Maelor character.

“It did have a ripple effect, and we decided that we were going to lean into it and try to make it a strength, instead of playing it as a weakness.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Meanwhile, George RR Martin’s blog post also described how the original story in his book progresses [we are avoiding any spoilers], speculates on the show’s character and plot development, and finally ends on a cryptic note.

“There are larger and more toxic butterflies to come, if HOUSE OF THE DRAGON goes ahead with some of the changes being contemplated for series three and four,” he said.

Related posts:

Harrison Ford, 78, injures shoulder filming fight scene for new Indiana Jones movie Was Chris Rock wearing a cheek pad at the Oscars when Will Smith slapped him? ‘Kindest, wisest man I knew’: Ant McPartlin pays tribute to TV presenting partner’s brother Jonnie Irwin ‘fears his children won’t remember him’ after terminal cancer diagnosis Ed Sheeran reveals wife was diagnosed with tumour while pregnant as he confirms details of new album Jennifer Aniston says there’s a ‘whole generation’ who will find Friends episodes ‘offensive’ Saving cinema: Why chains can’t just rely on blockbusters and bad weather Kristen Bell says her children like to drink non-alcoholic beer Victoria Beckham is finally being honest – and has the T-shirt to prove it Kim Kardashian criticised by Greenpeace over ‘nipple bra’ promo video Shakira handed Latin Grammy award by rival of footballer ex-partner Alec Baldwin asks judge to dismiss manslaughter charges over Rust shooting