Why Does House of the Dragon Continue Filming Despite the Actor's Guild Strike?

Ever since the SAG-AFTRA joined the WGA strike, both actors and writers in the US are not allowed to take part in any and all productions. This led to what we like to call a complete Hollywood halt: the absolute majority of all shows and movies are now stuck in limbo, unable to proceed without their writers and actors.

Yesterday, we told you that the first exception from the strike rules was made: The Chosen, a series following the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, received a waiver to continue filming amid the strike. This happened thanks to the fact that The Chosen is developed by an independent company that’s not associated with major studios.

However, House of the Dragon — the Targaryen-centered prequel to the world-famous show Game of Thrones — will also continue shooting, and this has people confused. House of the Dragon, just like GoT, belongs to HBO, and HBO is very much a major company. Where did this exception come from, all of a sudden?

The thing is, the cast of House of the Dragon almost exclusively consists of British actors who are obviously not part of the Actor’s Guild of America. They are not affected by the strike rules, and they are not protesting American studious (why would they?), so the production of the show will continue as planned.

Even if HotD’s actors do feel sympathetic toward the US actors’ fight, they are legally not allowed to join the strike out of solidarity: this was ensured by the British actor’s union, Equity. The union published a guideline for its members — over 47,000 actors across Great Britain — addressing the SAF-AFTRA strike in the USA.

“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,” the union stated.

British legislation prevents Equity from joining foreign strikes, and the union made sure to let its members know that such actions would go against the law. Though unable to become part of the strike, Equity stated that it will “support SAG-AFTRA and its members by all lawful means.”

Still, the good news of this whole story is that House of the Dragon isn’t and won’t be affected by the American double strike, and we’ll have one more show to watch until the Alliance of Producers comes to senses.

Source: Variety