On Sunday night, Deadline reported that HBO has temporarily paused its production for the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon as a production member tested positive for COVID-19. Shooting will not take place for at least another several days.
According to Deadline the confirmed case was from a member in zone A of the set, which includes the show’s “cast and crew.” The production member who tested positive must abide by COVID-19 guidelines, meaning they will self-isolate while close contacts of theirs will quarantine. Production is scheduled to resume on or after Wednesday, July 21st.
House of the Dragon is not the only show directly affected by the pandemic. Within the last week, both the Netflix historical drama Bridgerton and musical adaptation of Matilda also temporarily suspended their filming after positive cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on their sets.
House of the Dragon began production earlier this year in April. The show is currently set to premiere in 2022. This Game of Thrones prequel is based on George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, a fascinating and in-depth history about House Targaryen set 300 years before the events from Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire.
Starring in House of the Dragon are Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen), Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower), Paddy Considine (King Viserys Targaryen), Emmy D’Arcy (Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen), Steve Toussaint (Lord Corlys Velaryon or “the Sea Snake”), and Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower) among others. Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin are the prequel’s co-creators. Both men will executive produce with Miguel Sapochnik, Sara Lee Hess, Ron Schmidt, and Vince Gerardis. Ramin Djawadi will compose the score.