ABC Plans To Delay ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 32 Premiere As Contestants Reportedly Drop Out Over Strike Concerns 

ABC is reportedly planning to delay the premiere of Dancing With The Stars Season 32 amid growing concerns of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Variety reports.

The outlet claims ABC confirmed that it is “putting plans in place to postpone” the premiere, which was scheduled to air on Friday, Sept. 26. This news comes after actor Matt Walsh announced he would be “taking a pause” from the show in solidarity with the WGA. According to sources close to the matter, other contestants have begun to consider dropping out of the season.

Walsh announced that he would be stepping away from the show “until an agreement is made with the WGA,” per Variety. The Veep actor is a member of both WGA and SAG-AFTRA, as well as the Directors Guild of America.

“I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and fell under a different agreement. This morning when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that it is considered struck work I walked out of my rehearsal,” he said.

Dancing With The Stars is covered by the WGA because it employs one WGA writer, which is why the union is picketing the show. But, as Variety notes, the celebrity cast members, hosts, professional dancers and judges are all allowed to continue with the show under SAG-AFTRA’s “Network Code.”

WGA members and supporters have picketed the show’s rehearsal spaces this week. The Hollywood Reporter notes the picketers carried signs specifically calling Walsh out, along with actresses and contestants Alyson Hannigan and Mira Sorvino.

Walsh’s statement continued, “Beyond our union artists, I am sensitive to the many people impacted by the strike and I hope for a speedy and fair resolution, and to one day work again with all the wonderful people I met at DWTS who tolerated my dancing,” per Variety.

Earlier this week, sources told Variety that the show could go on without Walsh. But if the rumors are true, it would be difficult to move forward with the premiere if more contestants drop out.

Dancing With The Stars would not be the first reality series to delay its return due to the WGA strike. Multiple talk shows have decided to push back their season premieres, including Real Time With Bill Maher, The Drew Barrymore Show and The Talk.

However, a resolution may be imminent. The WGA and the AMPTP resumed negotiations on Wednesday (Sept. 21), which were set to continue into today. One inside source said the discussion was “very encouraging.”

This has been a tumultuous season for Dancing With The Stars, and it hasn’t even started yet.

In addition to being picketed by the WGA, the show was also criticized for casting former footballer Adrian Peterson, who was charged with felony abuse in 2014 for striking his son.