The CW's Vancouver-based shows have been ordered to shut down after delays in processing COVID-19 tests in British Columbia. Shows affected by the delay are as follows: Batwoman, Riverdale, Nancy Drew, and Charmed.
It's also been reported that Disney TV Studios has halted operations for David E. Kelley’s ABC show Big Sky, due to the same issue. While attending a panel for the show via a virtual press conference on Wednesday, Television Critics Association, Kelley said, “There were some delays in test results, so out of caution we shut down yesterday and today. We expect to resume production either tomorrow or Friday.” Disney has also encountered delays for the filming of The Mysterious Benedict Society, which is Hulu's adaptation of the best-selling young adult novels by author Trenton Lee Stewart. For the moment, no word has been issued as to whether the productions for projects like A Million Little Things or The Mighty Ducks have been affected by the delay.
According to sources, the delays are not expected to last for too long. That said, only a single lab is in charge of overseeing and processing the coronavirus testing, and that same company is prioritizing schools ahead of all else.
Are you ready for more bad news? I certainly hope so, because I've got some. Warner Bros. Television is also dealing with production delays for The CW's superhero shows The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow. Again, no restart dates have been floated at this time, so it's become a game of wait-and-see.
It's worth noting that British Columbia has done well in its containment of coronavirus, making it one of the safest places to film. Chances are that production will resume for all projects before long, but hey, it's better to be safe than sorry, right? This pandemic business has gone on for far too long as it is, and not playing things safe is fool's game and more. We all have to do our part to nip this thing in the bud, so I'll take a short delay in the interest of safety as opposed to the alternative.
Stay safe out there, folks.