Arrowverse series The Flash has temporarily stopped production on season 7 due to a positive coronavirus test. The long-running CW show has been at work on new episodes since earlier this fall. Though filming usually starts in the summer, the network pushed all of its returning Arrowverse shows to 2021, which allowed them to begin production later. The Flash has already been affected quite a bit by the coronavirus. Like many other TV shows, it had to cut its previous season short, resulting in a cliffhanger. Additionally, The Flash's planned season 7 production start was affected by testing delays in Vancouver, where it and many other CW shows film.
The Flash season 7 premieres Tuesday, February 23, where it will provide a lead-in to new Arrowverse show Superman & Lois. The first episodes of season 7 will resolve the remaining season 6 storylines with Eva McCulloch/Mirror Master, who was still at large in the last episode aired. Additionally, Iris, Chief Singh, and Kamilla remain trapped in the Mirrorverse, with Iris in particularly bad shape. The Flash season 7 will also address Ralph Dibny/The Elongated Man's absence, as actor Hartley Sawyer was fired over the summer for racist and misogynistic tweets. Showrunner Eric Wallace explained Ralph's ability to change his appearance will help give the character a proper sendoff.
Deadline broke the news of The Flash's season 7 production halt, which comes after an employee of the show tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was asymptomatic, with the diagnosis coming thanks to Warner Bros. TV's testing protocols. The Flash has begun contact tracing and is looking to restart production without the person in question and anyone else in their circle.
Unfortunately, TV and movie productions are fairly adept at handling coronavirus diagnoses at this point. Countless projects have paused filming temporarily since Hollywood began its return to work over the summer. While initial shutdowns received a lot of attention, they've become a regular occurrence in the last couple months. However, studios, including Warner Bros., are taking positive tests seriously, even if they mean a potentially costly pause in filming.
At this point, it seems unlikely The Flash's production halt will affect season 7. The premiere is still months away, so the series has a little wiggle room there. This news proves The CW was wise to hold its Arrowverse shows until 2021 vs. rushing filming starts to get The Flash and others back on the air this fall. The later premieres allow Warner Bros. to put the safety of cast and crew members first, which must be the priority. Hopefully, The Flash is able to resume season 7 filming soon, with its entire team safe and healthy.
Source: Deadline