The UK-based productions of Netflix’sBridgertonand HBO’sHouse of the Dragonhave been temporarily shut down due to COVID-19 concerns, according to Deadline. The shutdowns were prompted by a member of each production testing positive for the coronavirus.
TheGame of Thronesprequel is set to resume filming on Wednesday after a two-day pause, whileBridgertonis on hold for an unspecified amount of time. This is the second shutdown forBridgerton, following a 24-hour pause last week when a crewmember reportedly tested positive.
A source forTheWrapconfirmed that last week’sBridgertonshutdown did not involve any cast members, but rather a “small number” of crew members.
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The newly announced indefinite hiatus forBridgertonhas ledsome to suspect that a cast member may have tested positivethis time. However, it may just be that production is reassessing their safety practices as the Delta variant is spreading rapidly across the UK. As of Sunday, nearly320,000 residents in the UKhad tested positive for the coronavirus over the past week.
Netflix’sBridgertonSeason 2focuses on Daphne’s brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) as he finds romance of his own with the headstrong Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). Production began at the start of May. The Shondaland series’ first season received12 Emmy nominationslast week, including Best Drama Series.
COVID-19 has posed an increasing challenge for productions around the world as they navigate new protocols, evolving restrictions, and temporary shutdowns. Just last month,Mission Impossible 7was brought to a halt after a crew member tested positive for the virus. Last yearRobert Pattinson, star ofMatt Reeves’The Batmancontracted the virus and shut down theproduction’s UK set.
While movie theaters may be surging back to life withstrong box office numbers, theBridgertonandHouse of the Dragonshutdowns are a cautionary reminder that COVID-19 numbers are surging as well.
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