How will the actors strike affect House of the Dragon season 2?

The success of Game of Thrones was unparalleled, but its prequel series definitely also has a big following. The first season of the show definitely proved that. Now, all eyes and ears are open for any news about House of the Dragon season 2. With the actors strike now happening, is this going to affect production on the second installment?

Many movie and show productions have completely stopped filming, either pushing release dates or now just paused indefinitely until a deal can be made between the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Those who are part of the union have to stop filming any work their doing, cannot promote present and past work on social media or events, and cannot take part in press interviews.

The actors join the writers union, Writers Guild of America (WGA), as both groups are striking. This hasn’t happened in 60 years. So with no writers and actors, is the Max fantasy drama also affected by this? We’ve got the answer for you below.

How will the actors strike affect House of the Dragon season 2?

House of the Dragon season 2 is completely unaffected by both the actors strike and the writers strike. In terms of its cast members, this is due to regulations and rules in the United Kingdom where part of the show is currently filming, per Entertainment Weekly. The show has a contract with U.K. labor group Equity, which means it has to uphold their rules. In a statement, General Secretary of Equity Paul W. Fleming said the following, EW reports:

"We have been advised by SAG-AFTRA that its strike is lawful according to United States law but we have been advised by our U.K. lawyers that it is not lawful under United Kingdom law. Consequently, 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."

Even so, Fleming said that the U.K. union is standing in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA, and will be “organizing demonstrations, rallies, and protests” in the coming days to show their support. When it comes to the writers strike, production also did not stop. HBO shared that all the scripts were already completed, so creator and showrunner Ryan Condal has been on set. However, he’s working only in a producer role, even though he does write for the series as well.

EW shares that the Game of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, hasn’t started production yet and that the writers room has been closed since the union’s strike. So that series is most likely to be delayed.

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote as we bring you updates about the strikes.