Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’arcy) and Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) in a still shared from the 'House of the Dragon' set. HBO
Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’arcy) and Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) in a still shared from the 'House of the Dragon' set. HBO
Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’arcy) and Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) in a still shared from the 'House of the Dragon' set. HBO
Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’arcy) and Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) in a still shared from the 'House of the Dragon' set. HBO

HBO suspends 'House of the Dragon' production owing to positive Covid-19 cases


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

The House of the Dragon set has been shut down because of positive cases of Covid-19. Production of the HBO show, a prequel of the much-loved fantasy series Game of Thrones, has been paused for two days.

The show is currently being shot in the UK, and production will resume on Wednesday.

Industry publication Deadline reported that the shoot has been paused for two days "after a positive case in zone A, which includes cast and crew."

Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) in a still shared from 'House of the Dragon'. HBO
Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) in a still shared from 'House of the Dragon'. HBO

House of the Dragon is set to centre on House Targaryen, and is based on George RR Martin’s book Fire & Blood. According to HBO, the series will "tell the story of House Targaryen (the house that gave us the Mother of Dragons herself, Daenerys Targaryen) and take place 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones."

The show stars Paddy Considine (The Outsider), Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One), Emma D'Arcy (Truth Seekers), Matt Smith (The Crown, Doctor Who), Steve Toussaint (It’s a Sin, Doctor Who), Eve Best (Nurse Jackie, The King’s Speech), Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, The Amazing Spider-Man) and Sonoya Mizuno (Ex Machina, Crazy Rich Asians).

Covid-19 pausing TV production

Filming of season two of 'Bridgerton' has been paused owing to two positive Covid-19 cases. Netflix
Filming of season two of 'Bridgerton' has been paused owing to two positive Covid-19 cases. Netflix

House of the Dragon is not the first high-profile production to be halted because of Covid-19. This week, filming on the Bridgerton set was paused "indefinitely", following two positive cases of the coronavirus on set.

Like House of the Dragon, the Netflix period drama is currently filming in the UK. The country is currently experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases, owing to the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Deadline confirmed the hiatus, but Netflix has declined to comment further and chose not to confirm if it is a cast or crew member who contracted the virus. However, every individual on set is now isolating and the industry publication reports "the indefinite length of the hiatus will lead to speculation that it could be an actor."

Last Thursday, production was initially halted for 24 hours as a member of the crew tested positive. The cast and crew were then tested and filming resumed on Friday. However, the second positive case has led to an indefinite halt. Producers are now creating a timetable for filming to resume, it has been reported.

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
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Men's quarter-finals

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Roger Federer (4) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 7pm

Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Alexander Zverev (3) from 9.30pm

Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11.30pm

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Sloane Stephens (8) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 10pm

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Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.

Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.

The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.

One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.

That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.

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The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.

Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The specs

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Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

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Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Updated: July 19, 2021, 8:11 AM