HBO Max's Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon has lost one of its showrunners, though has also gained a new director for its upcoming second season.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, House of the Dragon co-showrunner and director Miguel Sapochnik is stepping down from the series -- less than two weeks after its HBO Max debut on Aug. 21. Ryan Condal will now serve as the Game of Thrones prequel's sole showrunner, and will continue to work closely with A Song of Ice and Fire author George R. R. Martin, who co-created House of the Dragon with Condal.

RELATED: House of the Dragon Builds on Series Premiere's Record Ratings With Episode 2

Sources say Sapochnik's departure comes down to exhaustion, with the filmmaker having spent three years working to bring House of the Dragon to life. Despite exiting the Game of Thrones prequel as co-showrunner, however, Sapochnik has inked a first-look deal with HBO to develop new projects. He will also remain attached to House of the Dragon as an executive producer.

Meanwhile, House of the Dragon has found a new crew member in the form of Game of Thrones director Alan Taylor, who is set to direct "multiple" episodes of the prequel's upcoming second season, as well as serve as an executive producer. Taylor previously helmed seven episodes of Game of Thrones -- which originally aired on HBO from 2011 to 2019 -- and is credited with helping to shape the fantasy series' directorial style.

RELATED: Game of Thrones Creator Hopes to Build His Own Dragon-Filled MCU

Taylor directed the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones Season 1, "Baelor," as well as the season finale, "Fire and Blood." He was most prolific during Season 2, helming the season premiere, "The North Remembers," as well as "The Night Lands," "The Prince of Winterfell" and the season finale, "Valar Morghulis." Taylor later directed the Season 7 episode "Beyond the Wall."

House of the Dragon Loses a Showrunner, Gains a Director

"Working within the Thrones universe for the past few years has been an honor and a privilege, especially spending the last two with the amazing cast and crew of House of the Dragon," Sapochnik said in a statement. "I am so proud of what we accomplished with Season 1 and overjoyed by the enthusiastic reaction of our viewers. It was incredibly tough to decide to move on, but I know that it is the right choice for me, personally and professionally. As I do so, though, I am deeply comforted to know that Alan will be joining the series. He's someone I’ve known and respected for a long time, and I believe this precious series could not be in safer hands. I am so glad to remain a part of the HBO and House of the Dragon family and, of course, I wish Ryan and his team success and all the best with Season 2 and beyond."

RELATED: Pedro Pascal's The Last of Us Debuts First Footage in HBO Max Sizzle Reel

"It's a pleasure and an honor to be back at HBO, immersing myself in the world of the Targaryens, I look forward to working closely with Ryan as House of the Dragon grows into its second season," Taylor added. "Ryan, Miguel and George have launched an extraordinary story, in a rich and fascinating world. Returning to Westeros will be a huge undertaking and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

"Miguel Sapochnik has done amazing work on the first season of House of the Dragon, establishing its signature look and feel," HBO said in a statement of its own. "This series simply could not have come together the way it did without him. While we would have loved to have Miguel continue in the same role, we are thrilled to have his ongoing collaboration in this new creative capacity. Looking forward, we’ve had a decades-long relationship with Alan Taylor, and we are delighted to have him join Ryan and rest the talented team."

RELATED: George R.R. Martin Likens THAT Gory House of the Dragon Scene to GoT's Red Wedding

New episodes of House of the Dragon drop Sundays on HBO Max.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter