Hollywood is pretty much at a standstill with the ongoing strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA). However, House of the Dragon is continuing to film its second season despite the work stoppage.
The HBO Game of Thrones prequel series had a very successful first season and has been very well received by fans. HBO quickly renewed the TV show for a second season and is slated for release in sometime next year.
While many movies and TV shows have halted production due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the second season of House of the Dragon is reportedly in the midst of filming. The on-location shooting in Spain has already finished while the rest of the production will take place at Warner Bros. Studio in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England.
According to a report by Variety, the production of House of the Dragon is not affected by the work stoppage in the US. The cast of the TV series is composed primarily of UK actors who are working under contracts governed by a local union called Equity. Members of the UK-based union are not legally allowed to strike in solidarity with US actors.
Equity shared an actors’ strike guide with its 47,000 members shortly before the SAG-AFTRA declared a strike. The UK union did issue a statement supporting its US-based counterparts. “Equity U.K. will support SAG-AFTRA and its members by all lawful means.”
“A performer joining the strike (or refusing to cross a picket line) in the U.K. will have no protection against being dismissed or sued for breach of contract by the producer or the engager. Likewise, if Equity encourages anyone to join the strike or not cross a picket line, Equity itself will be acting unlawfully and hence liable for damages or an injunction,” Equity said in its guidance to members.
The UK reportedly has strict union laws which prevent Equity members from calling a strike to show support to US actors and writers. Actors in Equity contracts can continue to work despite the strike, since they are not bound to the US union.
Most House of the Dragon actors reportedly fall into this category and the TV series can continue filming. Production for the TV show can also continue as the scripts for House of the Dragon have already been completed.
House of the Dragon recently picked up eight primetime Emmy nominations. It will go head-to-head against another HBO TV series The Last of Us.
House of the Dragon Season 2 is expected to release in 2024.
