HBO's Game of Thrones prequel has become the latest project to hit a roadblock due to the COVID-19 pandemic. House of the Dragon has reportedly paused production in the UK due to COVID-19 exposure.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, production on the Game of Thrones prequel will halt for two days after an individual among the cast and crew tested positive for COVID-19. Filming is set to resume on Wednesday. In response to the news, HBO put out an official statement that reads, “As part of the rigorous testing implemented for all production employees, a Zone A production member on House of the Dragon tested positive for COVID-19. In compliance with industry guidelines, the production member is in isolation, and close contacts will be required to quarantine.”
House of the Dragon is one of six Game of Thrones prequels in development at HBO. The series is set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen's rise and fall in Westeros. The other five prequel series currently in development include Dunk & Egg, which will be an adaptation of several of author George R.R Martin's popular novellas. Dunk & Egg takes place roughly 90 years before Game of Thrones and follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (a.k.a. Dunk) and his squire named Egg, who will one day go on to become King Aegon V Targaryen. Martin is also an executive producer on House of the Dragon.
The second is a series revolving around the Warrior Queen Nymeria titled 10,00 Ships, which is set roughly 1000 years before Game of Thrones. There's also a series tentatively called 9 Voyages, which follows Lord Corlys Velaryon, aka The Sea Snake, the Lord of the Tides, and head of House Velaryon. This character will also appear in House of the Dragon, where he is portrayed by actor Steve Toussaint. The last two series in development are Flea Bottom, based on the infamous slum in Kings Landing, and an untitled animated series.
Despite the recent surge in virus numbers, the UK has ended most of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including mask mandates. The news comes as a stark reminder that despite the continued vaccines efforts around the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. Many different film and television projects have been forced to alter their production and release schedules due to the ongoing pandemic. The latest Tom Crusie action film Mission: Impossible 7, which is filming in the UK, was also recently forced to shut down due to COVID-19 exposure.
House of the Dragon also stars Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower. The series is being developed by Ryan Condal and frequent Game of Thrones director Miguel Sapochnik.
House of the Dragon is set to premiere in 2022.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter