Flash, Supergirl and More WBTV Series Shut Down Amid Coronavirus Crisis
The Flash and Lucifer are the latest series hitting the pause button on their respective seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As first reported by Deadline (and confirmed by TVLine), Flash unit manager Brent Crowell announced that the Vancouver-based CW drama would cease production on its current sixth season “until further notice” in a note to the cast and crew. It is effective immediately.
Meanwhile, sources confirm to TVLine that Lucifer, which like The Flash is produced by Warner Bros., has similarly halted production as a coronavirus precautionary measure. The show was nearing the end of production on its fifth season. The work stoppage occurs as Netflix was nearing a deal to bring the show back for a sixth season.
Additionally, TVLine has learned that Supergirl has also halted production as a safety precaution. The following is an official statement from Warner Bros. Television Group:
With the rapidly changing events related to COVID-19, and out of an abundance of caution, Warner Bros. Television Group is halting production on some of our 70+ series and pilots currently filming or about to begin. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on any of our productions, but the health and safety of our employees, casts and crews remains our top priority. During this time, we will continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control as well as local officials and public health professionals in each city where our productions are based.
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TVLine’s up-to-date list of the series shutting down production as a result of coronavirus has been updated to include The Flash, Lucifer and Supergirl.
I’d rather the actors and crews stay safe so good news!
Well I guess I’ll be watching some of my DVR’d programs for awhile hahaha.
Any word on whether these are temporary (like Grey’s) and they might be able to finish filming in a few weeks? Or are they just calling it for the season?
probably case by case and as conditions warrant at this point,nobody really knows how long this will go on for
The seasons are over. Depending on where you live your life will change forever in the next few weeks.
It’s very likely that even the “temporary” shut downs are going to end up lasting for a month or more. Two weeks is nothing – that’s the length of the incubation period. Most shows that are shut down are probably done for the season.
Especially since Danielle Panabaker is pregnant. She definitely needs time off.
She’s already been on maternity leave. I’m pretty sure she stopped filming after they wrapped either 6×16 or 6×17, so roughly the first week of February. Either way, it’s good they shut down production for all the cast and crew’s safety.
She is? That is one nasty virus.
In from the cold which was shooting in Madrid was shut down too.
I had thought Lucifer was already done based on bts stuff, but this could be a hint to more fun news that they had to reshoot the finale, because, well, its no longer the last epsiode.
Lucifer was not scheduled to wrap Season 5 finale until March 20. –Mgmt.
Most if not all of the DCUniverse/Arrowverse shows were within a couple weeks of completing production. What is Supergirl going to do to early film some of next season’s episodes due to Mellisa Benoit’s pregnancy as they were planning is going to be interesting. Sounds as if television schedules are going to be complicated for the rest of the calendar year.
I imagine Supergirl will be delayed until January or perhaps take the year off depending on how long the pandemic lasts. Maybe they will get creative and do a few stand alone two hour Supergirl movies next season before resuming a normal season.
Even without this whole thing happening, I would imagine that they’re going to hold the new season until January. I don’t know how far along Melissa is, but shows typically go back into production July/August and she could be at the tailend of her pregnancy by then, if not already had the baby not long before that. We’ll just have to wait and see what they do.
Yeah, it was going to end at 18 episodes, then start production on 1st 4 or so then long break for pregnancy, no telling now.
Probably will have enough filmed to end season.
I believe Supernatural has also shut down.
That would be tough as it is their last season and they are only producing 20 episodes. They must be very close to being finished.
EW confirmed it. They have 2 episodes left to finish.
Legacies isn’t affected because they already finished production.
This is unfortunate… but understandable… Looks like all of them will have their seasons cut short and not be able to finish the scheduled season arcs.
Actually they had quite a few episodes of season 2 left to film but they decided to cut the season short due to the virus and make the unfilmed episodes part of season 3. Episode 16 will now serve as the season finale.
Sorry that was for a different comment that was above this
I wonder if this will affect the first half of Lucifer. I imagine the first 8 episodes are done and releasing them wouldn’t affect anything if they coming out in bunches.
Well, now I’m just waiting until they halt production on “Legacies” because I know of one episode they have yet to film: the musical episode. Goodbye network viewer ship ratings, hello to more streaming services subscriptions. Thank God for Netflix!
I was waiting for the Supergirl announcement. With it star recently announcing her pregnancy, I assumed extra precautions would be taken to ensure her and the baby’s health.
Keeping everyone safe is most important. And as far as Lucifer goes, they were going to do a split season release, so maybe that can still work.
I get Supergirl, can’t risk Melissa catching Coronavirus while pregnant.
Even danielle from flash and Camilla from grey’s
Better be safe than sorry.
Flash: Crises on infinity earth.
Me: No, flash. Crises are on real earth, open your eyes.
Since when do we call CW shows WBTV? Are we back in 2005?
Because they’re produced by WB TV? CW is a joint partnership between CBS and WB.
Won’t Covid-19 have peaked by May and start to burn out? Will things start up again around May/June?
Absolutely no one knows. –Mgmt.
Crisis on Infinite Television Series?
Starting to feel a bit like the writer’s strike in 2007. Some series didn’t survive. Hey TV line, maybe do a write up of how that stoppage altered some series when they returned and how some of those series ultimately didn’t survive, even hit series. Anyway, I’m sure shows that were mostly finished will be fine.
I hope all the actors remain safe during the coronavirus crisis. Although I am a little sad about having to wait for more Lucifer. I’m a huge fan of the show.
I can understand why production is getting canceled but canceling The rest of the season would be a mistake. Besides it would leave a huge plot hole for every show on The CW network. I’m a huge fan of the Arrowverse shows. Especially the flash, Supergirl, legends of tomorrow, and Batwoman. I respect the producers decision.