“HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery love Taormina,” declared WBD South Europe Boss Alessandro Araimo on Wednesday as he touched down in the picturesque Sicilian hilltop town for the continental European premiere of Season 3 of House of the Dragon.It is a love affair that began with the second season of The White Lotus, when the town acted as the backdrop to the hit series with its San Domenico Palace reimagined as a five-star Four Seasons hotel. “The season of The White Lotus season which was filmed in Taormina was an extraordinary success,” said Araimo.
“We were thrilled to be able to organize the first stop of the world tour here in Taormina… I also couldn’t help but notice the connection between the dragons and this fantastic land, Mount Etna,” referring to Sicily’s landmark smoking active volcano. Already a popular tourist destination prior to The White Lotus, visitor numbers jumped by 30% in the first year after the second season launched in October 2022. Locals say the hype has died down since but there has been a frisson of excitement in recent days with sightings of newly-wed popstar Dua Lipa and actor Callum Turner in the town amid rumors they are staying at the San Domenico Palace. Araimo is in Taormina with House of the Dragon cast members Steve Toussaint, Tom Glynn-Carney, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell and Tim Blake Nelson for a sold-out open-air screening of Season 3 in Taormina’s 5,000-capacity Ancient Greek amphitheater within the framework of the Taormina Film Festival. The HOTD stars have hot-footed it from London where they attended the world premiere of Season 3 on Monday evening. Speaking at press conference in Taormina, Toussaint said the positive response so far had been more than he had expected.
“You hope people will like what you do but it’s been overwhelming,” he said. Citing the fans and the behind-the-scenes team as drivers of the show’s success, Collett expressed surprise on learning 5,000 spectators were expected in the amphitheater tonight. Other guests this evening will include jury president Jane Campion and alongside jury members Holly Hunter, costume designer Miyako Bellizzi (Marty Supreme), casting director Francine Maisler (Sinners), director Akinola Davies Jr.(My Father’s Shadow), Amazon MGM Studios Head of Global Marketing, Film, Series Sue Kroll, and Italian star Pietro Castellitto (The Predators, Enea). Emile Hirsch will also be attendance to receive a Taormina Film Festival Award, having earlier opened an exhibition of his art in the town. Check back in later for an update on the gala screening.
Speaking ahead of spectacular open-air screening of season 3 of ‘House of the Dragon’ at the Taormina Film Festival, star Steve Toussaint says response so far has been more than he hoped for: "You hope people will like what you do but it's been overwhelming" pic.twitter.com/Ez12508qaS
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