"House of the Dragon" Production Halts Due to Coronavirus

HBO halted Monday production on “House of the Dragon”, the prequel to “Game of Thrones”,  after a positive coronavirus case.

As part of testing implemented for all production employees, a production member on the series tested positive for the deadly virus in the UK set. In compliance with industry guidelines, the production member is in isolation, and close contacts will be required to quarantine.

Production will resume on Wednesday.

This is the third production to be affected by the coronavirus in the UK in the last few days. Netflix’s “Bridgerton” paused filming after a positive case, resumed, and paused again after a new case. The streamer’s “Matilda” has also paused for the same reason.

The prequel centers around the story of the Targaryen family in Westeros and is set 300 years before the events in Game of Thrones. The drama is from co-showrunners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik.

The series stars Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon a.k.a. The Sea Snake, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole.

House of the Dragon is one of six Game of Thrones-related prequel projects in the works at HBO.

Furthermore, there is also a stage show in development for Broadway/West End that will feature new actors playing iconic characters from the original series.

House of the Dragon is set to premiere in 2022.