Filming for the upcoming Blade Runner television series could be delayed by an entire year. In 1982, director Ridley Scott used Philip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? as the basis for his science-fiction noir Blade Runner. Although the film initially received mixed reviews from critics and bombed at the box office, Blade Runner gained popularity on home release and has since become a revered cult classic. As a result, the film spawned a direct sequel Blade Runner 2049, starring Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, an animated television series titled Blade Runner: Black Lotus, and an upcoming sequel show, Blade Runner 2099, set for Prime Video.

Per Deadline, Scott's upcoming Blade Runner sequel show could be delayed by a year. The BBC recently reported production on the series was set to begin in Northern Ireland but has since been put on hold until spring 2024. Northern Ireland Screen cited the ongoing WGA writers' strike as a significant reason for the delay. Read what the agency said in a statement below:

"Northern Ireland Screen is extremely disappointed that Blade Runner 2099 is not going ahead at this time due to the ongoing writers’ strike. The project has been prepping on the ground in Belfast for many months now. The WGA strike has been halting production all over the world and we hope a fair deal is reached soon so crew can get back to work."

What To Expect From Blade Runner 2099

K looking at someone in Blade Runner 2049

Scott returns to the franchise as executive producer of Blade Runner 2099. Showrunner Silka Luisa of Shining Girls will lead the Prime Video series with help from The Leftovers writer Tom Spezialy and Blade Runner 2049 co-writer Michael Green. Director Jeremy Podeswa of Game of Thrones and Station Eleven fame will helm the pilot episode.

Related: Blade Runner's TV Show Story Is A Huge Missed Opportunity

Plot details for Blade Runner 2099 have been kept tightly under wraps. As indicated by the show's title, Blade Runner 2099 will take place 50 years after the events of Blade Runner 2049. With Green hired as a writer for the new series, Blade Runner 2099 may tie directly to the plot of its predecessor film, perhaps centering on Deckard's daughter, the future of the Wallace Corporation, or the next evolution of Replicants.

So far, no casting announcements have been made regarding Blade Runner 2099. It is unlikely Ford would return as Deckard since the character would probably be too old to be alive. However, with Deckard's human or replicant origin still up for debate, it is possible for Ford to make an appearance.

Source: Deadline