‘House Of The Dragon’ filming halted by positive Covid test

Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen (Twitter/HouseofDragon)

Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen (Twitter/HouseofDragon)

Game Of Thrones Targaryen-centric prequel House Of The Dragon has been forced to halt production after someone on set tested positive for COVID-19.

The series, the first in a growing list of Game Of Thrones spin-offs, is currently filming around the UK and at Leavesden Studios in London, but has been put on pause following a positive coronavirus test.

According to Deadline, the person in question is now self-isolating, with close contacts also quarantining until Wednesday.

Read more: Nathalie Emmanuel wasn’t expecting such a reaction to controversial death

This is the third major TV production that’s had to pause in the space of a fortnight as a result of positive Covid tests.

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower (Twitter/HouseofDragon)

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower (Twitter/HouseofDragon)

Bridgerton season two has also had to halt filming, as well as the film adaptation of Matilda: The Musical.

House Of The Dragon stars an A-list cast including Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cookes and Rhys Ifans.

Read more: Matt Smith seen filming ‘Game Of Thrones’ prequel ‘House Of The Dragon’ in Cornwall

It follows the rise and fall of the House of Targaryen, ancestors of Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen, and set 300 years before the original events of Game Of Thrones.

The ten-episode series will be based in the early years of Westeros, where the Targaryens were one of the ruling families.

Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon 'The Sea Snake' (Twitter/HouseofDragon)

Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon ‘The Sea Snake’ (Twitter/HouseofDragon)

However, their thirst for power was accentuated by their ‘fire and blood’ family motto, ruling with a viciousness aided by their dragons.

The family was incestuous to keep their bloodline pure and they often descended into madness.

Read more: Elizabeth Olsen says she had an ‘awful’ audition for ‘Game Of Thrones’

While details surrounding the show remains heavily under wraps, it’s believed the show will be adapted from George RR Martin’s Fire and Blood novel, which ended with an inter-family civil war known as The Dance of Dragons.

George RR Martin

Game Of Thrones author, George RR Martin

Other upcoming projects including animated series The Tales of Dunk and Egg, based on the novellas around Ser Duncan ‘Dunk’ the Tall, the future Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and future king Aegon V Targaryen, known as Egg.

The news was confirmed by Martin in a blog post update back in March.

A number of other projects, including a musical, have been reported but not confirmed.

House Of The Dragon is set for release in 2022 on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

Watch: Actors film Game of Thrones prequel in Cornwall

Leave a Comment