Riverdale and several Arrowverse shows have halted production in Vancouver following delays in COVID tests. Countless ongoing film and television productions have taken a hit this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. On the TV side, it's led to a number of broadcast shows getting shortened seasons earlier this year when episodes couldn't be completed in time. This includes much of the CW's slate, including the Archie Comics-inspired Riverdale and Arrowverse programs like Supergirl and The Flash. As a result, the network has delayed much of their upcoming seasons to 2021.
Matters for the CW seemed to take a positive turn at the start of this month, as Vancouver-based productions were cleared to resume work. A few shows for the network have started filming once again, such as Riverdale; showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa confirmed as much on social media. Batwoman's new lead, Javicia Leslie, was spotted in action last week, confirming that series had also begun work on season 2. Additionally, the final episodes of Supernatural were completed a few weeks ago.
However, progress is now being halted once more. Per Variety, several CW shows have been shut down in Vancouver due to a delay in testing. This includes Riverdale and Batwoman, as well as Nancy Drew and Charmed. Fellow Arrowverse shows The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow have also been put on hold, but they hadn't yet begun; they were expected to within the next few days. Reportedly, there's only one lab company authorized to oversee COVID tests for the area, and local schools and businesses have been prioritized.
Since these new delays aren't the result of positive tests, it's expected that they will be temporary; once the tests are actually processed, the shows will likely be able to resume provided none come back positive. Still, this will come as a relief to fans who are eagerly awaiting the newest seasons of the Arrowverse and Archie-verse. With the delays potentially only lasting for a few days, the productions shouldn't fall behind and can still make their early 2021 debuts.
Many productions have picked up in recent months, but it hasn't been smooth sailing for everyone. The Batman suffered another setback when star Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID, and Jurassic World 3 was forced to shift locations because of an outbreak in Malta. By comparison, the CW's current obstacles aren't as drastic, and hopefully that won't change. All productions have implemented rigorous health guidelines; for example, Riverdale star KJ Apa said the cast must now use mouthwash for every kissing scene. Ideally, this will help them and the Arrowverse get back on track relatively quickly so there are no further delays.
Source: Variety