COVID is still impacting your favourite shows
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
In an ideal world, the entirety of the UK would be basking in the glow of life after COVID following June 19, dubbed "Freedom Day", as masks became optional and restrictions on mass events were lifted.
But while some have stuffed their face coverings in drawers and descended on nightclubs to finally experience Lady Gaga's Rain On Me as intended – entwined in a throng of sweaty strangers on a sticky dance floor – life will remain much the same for millions as they observe from afar.
The number of people testing positive for the virus is the highest since January, according to government figures. That's to be expected given that more of us are taking tests, but lockdown restrictions have also been lifted and there's the highly contagious Delta variant to contend with. It was reported on June 20 that the number of deaths (96) had hit their most notable levels since March 24. Yes, we remain a significant distance from the 1,820 coronavirus-related fatalities reported back on January 20 (via Sky News), but the loss of life still makes for sobering reading.
The increase in infections is also proving challenging for the TV industry, which is not yet out of the woods.
Four high-profile series have been hit by positive COVID tests of late.
On July 17, Deadline reported that the supremely popular Bridgerton, a Netflix Regency-era drama that is produced in the UK, had stopped shooting following a confirmed positive result. The streamer didn't reveal whether it was a cast member or an individual working behind the scenes, but they are currently isolating.
That was the second time in a week that the production had ground to a halt after a crew member tested positive, and according to Deadline, production will remain at a standstill for "an indefinite period of time" until a "timetable for a safe return" is formulated.
HBO's House of the Dragon, a Game of Thrones spin-off that is set 300 years before the original series and revolves around House Targaryen, recently paused a UK shoot for two days after a production member tested positive.
Double Feature, the tenth season of Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story, also suffered the same fate after an actor received a positive COVID test, as reported by Variety. The FX anthology show was initially supposed to arrive in the latter half of 2020, but the challenge imposed by the virus was insurmountable.
The cast and crew have been working in LA, which is experiencing "more than 10,000 coronavirus cases a week", according to the LA Times – numbers not seen since March. A new order, which once again asks residents to wear masks indoors, was passed earlier this month, further cementing that we are still living in abnormal times.
It should be noted that just like the UK, LA's numbers remain considerably lower than those witnessed during the virus's most destructive period, but it's still concerning, and it leaves those working in the TV sector in a precarious position, as the team behind Westworld knows all too well.
The HBO sci-fi series, which has previously filmed in a range of US locations including California, Utah and Arizona, as well as some international destinations, will also be pausing for a couple of days following a positive test from a production member, according to Deadline.
But is the industry on the path to a total shutdown as we saw last year, where even EastEnders ran out of episodes for the first time in its 35 years on our screens?
What many shows are currently experiencing is dreamland compared with the total blackout previously imposed. Stringent health and safety restrictions – frequent testing, bubbles and social distancing, and rigorous cleaning protocols – certainly aren't a return to the carefree days of yore, and many actors have expressed just how much they miss the on-set ambiance that is as much a part of the experience as the work itself.
But in sharp contrast, they are able to do their day jobs, a privilege that wasn't afforded to many for much of last year, and as a result sets and studios are bustling once again.
But is that about to change?
A filmmaker told The Hollywood Reporter that when we hear of one title that suffers a setback, "there are another two or three that shut down and don't become news". All four of the aforementioned are big titles, with notable talent attached. For relative unknowns, that don't hold the same weight of anticipation or interest, it's unlikely that they'd make headlines. The days of seizing upon every detail relating to COVID, however minor, are behind us.
At the moment, it's not especially relevant to audiences that the likes of Bridgerton has stalled because the arrival of season two isn't expected until the latter stages of this year at the earliest. But that will undoubtedly change if January 2022 passes us by without those highly anticipated new episodes, or the consolation of a premiere date.
The impact of shooting delays will only truly be felt further down the line when notable series are nowhere to be seen, as we have seen over the past year when traditional broadcasters, in particular, have had to find ways to combat big gaps in their schedules.
It feels highly unlikely that we'll see a return to dormant sets across the board, with casts and crews twiddling their thumbs at home while they wait for developments. With both widespread testing and the vaccination programme in full swing, we've moved into a new phase where we're not entirely powerless. Many productions have now found a new way of working that allows them to get the job done, armed with knowledge and experience that has continued to evolve over the past 18 months. But as we've seen with the likes of Bridgerton, no system is perfect, and we'd expect more of these stories to surface in the coming weeks.
Normal service has not yet resumed.
The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Blockbusters are back – and the latest edition of Digital Spy Magazine has got everything you need to know about the summer's biggest box office arrivals. Read every issue now with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+.
Interested in Digital Spy's weekly newsletter? Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox – and don't forget to join our Watch This Facebook Group for daily TV recommendations and discussions with other readers.
You Might Also Like
