Netflix forced to shut down ANOTHER UK production after coronavirus outbreak on set
NETFLIX has been forced to shut down yet another major production after a coronavirus outbreak on set.
The UK production of Matilda - based on Tim Minchin's musical theatre production of the same name - has been put on pause for up to 10 days to further prevent transmission.
The show's second unit will continue to film as the first unit production goes on hiatus, according to
It is the third major TV production to shut down due to Covid in a matter of days, following Bridgerton's double coronavirus scare, and Game of Thrones' spin-off House of Dragon.
It comes as experts warn the UK faces the biggest wave of Covid infections it has ever seen as restrictions are eased.
Covid cases have risen by 100 per cent in a fortnight with a further 48,161 infections reported on Sunday.
Cases are up 53 per cent on last week’s total of 31,282 - and well over double the 23,858 infections reported a fortnight ago on July 4.
Minchin is back on board to compose the music for the Netflix adaptation of his musical which was originally based on Roald Dahl's novel.
Matilda is one of many Dahl originals Netflix is making and also includes an animated series made by Thor director, Taika Waititi.
The series stars Oscar-winner Emma Thompson as evil principal Miss Trunchbull and Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey. Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough play Matilda’s parents Mr and Mrs Wormwood.
Matilda's Covid scare comes just days after filming for season two of hit series Bridgerton was put on hold for a second time due to a positive coronavirus case.
The Sun told last week how shooting for the show, which stars Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton, had been paused due to a positive case among the crew.
But the new case is said to be one of the stars.
Filming has now stopped again after they were shown to have the virus.
The production team had only resumed work on Friday.
A telly source said: “The demand for the second series is huge, so to stop filming again is a real headache.
“This could lead to proper delays and it will be extremely costly for them because shooting such a big production is expensive at the best of times, let alone when you’ve got sets staying empty and actors who can’t work.
“Filming was stopped immediately as soon as the new positive case was detected but they had only just got back on set. They have a rigorous testing regime, so it’s hoped the case was found quickly enough and that no one else on set got it. But a lot of people are now isolating.
“Filming will start again once it is deemed safe but for now it has been paused indefinitely.”
The crew had been working on the series at Wrotham Hall, an 18th Century pile in Hertfordshire, when the case was detected.
Covid regulations have made shooting difficult, as Bridgerton is known for its crowd scenes and sexy romps — neither of which can easily be done with social distancing.
The Game of Thrones spin-off House of Dragon also put filming on hold after a crew member tested positive for Covid.
Production on the House of the Dragon prequel series was shut down this week and filming delayed due to a Covid outbreak on the UK set.
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Filming was put on hold for at least two days after a positive Covid result in the production's 'Zone A', which includes cast and crew, according to a report in .
A cast member allegedly tested positive and all filming was put on hold until Wednesday in line with UK government guidelines.
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