News Analysis India

Tag: House Of the Dragon

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel shoot paused amid surge in COVID cases in UK

    By PTI
    LONDON: The recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the UK has forced HBO to halt the production of its much-anticipated “Game of Thrones” prequel series “House of the Dragon”.

    According to Deadline, the UK shoot of the show has been paused for two days after a positive case in zone A, which includes cast and crew.

    Based on author George R R Martin’s book “Fire & Blood”, “House of Dragons” is set over 300 years prior to the events of “Game of Thrones”.

    It and tells the story of House Targaryen and the Targaryen civil war, known as the “Dance of the Dragons.”

    The surge has also led to the cancellation of actor-director Kenneth Branagh’s UK theater production, a revival of “The Browning Version” by Terence Rattigan.

    The play was due to be staged at London’s Riverside Studios in August.

    In a note sent to the ticket holders, the venue said the production was “no longer viable” due to the an “increasing number of Covid-enforced absences” and that refunds would be issued.

    Producers said number of team members tested positive, some of whom were symptomatic, despite COVID-19 protocols being observed.

    Shoot of Netflix’s popular series “Bridgerton” was shut down twice over the weekend because of positive cases on the set.

    The streamer’s feature adaptation of “Matilda” has also halted production due to the virus.

    On Sunday, the UK recorded a further 48,161 coronavirus cases and 25 deaths.

    This followed an excess of 50,000 cases recorded on Friday and Saturday, the highest since mid-January.

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’ adds Fabien Frankel to its cast

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: British actor Fabien Frankel has been cast in a key role in HBO’s upcoming “Game of Thrones” prequel series House of the Dragon.

    Based on saga author George R R Martin’s book Fire & Blood, House of Dragon is set over 300 years prior to the events of Game of Thrones.

    It and tells the story of House Targaryen and the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons.

    Frankel’s casting was announced by Martin on his blog.

    The 27-year-old actor, who recently appeared alongside “GOT” star Emilia Clarke in romantic comedy movie Last Christmas, will play Ser Criston Cole.

    Cole is a member of King Viserys I Targaryen’s Kingsguard, a knight whose bold actions helped pave the way to civil war.

    “He is the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven. He has no claim to lands or titles, all he has is his honor and his skill with sword and lance. He is a challenger, a champion, cheered by the commons, beloved of the ladies. He is a lover (or is he?), a seducer (or is he?), a betrayer (or is he?), a breaker of hearts and a maker of kings. Welcome to Westeros, Fabien. And do keep that sword sharp,” Martin wrote.

    House of Dragons has Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik on board as co-showrunners.

    The series is expected to start production this month in the UK.

    HBO is planning a 2022 debut for the show.

    It also stars actors Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Eve Best and Sonoya Mizuno.

  • HBO adds actor Rhys Ifans in ‘House Of the Dragon’

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Actor Rhys Ifans, known for starring in movies like “Notting Hill” and “The Amazing Spider-Man”, has boarded the cast of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” prequel “House Of the Dragon”.

    The actor joins the show’s cast along with Steve Toussaint, Eve Best and Sonoya Mizuno, reported Deadline Previously announced cast members were Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy.

    The new series, based on George RR Martin’s “Fire & Blood” book, will chronicle the history of House Targaryen and is set 300 years before the events described in “Game of Thrones”, which finished its eight season run in 2019.

    Smith will portray Prince Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother of King Viserys (Considine) and heir to the throne.

    Ifans will play Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King and the father of Cooke’s Alicent Hightower, who is described as the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms D’Arcy will essay the role of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, who has been described as “the king’s first-born child. She is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider.”

    Toussaint will appear as Lord Corlys Velaryon aka “The Sea Snake” with Best playing the role of his wife, Princess Rhaenys Velaryon.

    Mizuno will play Mysaria, who came to Westeros with nothing and has been sold more times than she can recall.

    She could have wilted but instead she rose to become the most trusted — and most unlikely — ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the throne.

    Ryan Condal is attached as the showrunner along with Miguel Sapochnik, who helmed “Game of Thrones” episodes such as “The Battle of Bastards” and “Winds of Winter”.

    Sapochnik will direct the pilot and additional episodes in the show.

    Greg Yaitanes is also aboard as the director along with Clare Kilner and Geeta V Patel.

    Martin, Condal and Sapochnik executive produce alongside Vince Gerardis and Sara Lee Hess who has joined Condal as a writer on the series.