Paramount+'s Star Trek: Picard has become one of the latest shows to halt production due to coronavirus as 50+ test positive. The current surge of COVID cases caused by the Omicron variant has presented new challenges for the entertainment industry as awards shows, film festivals, and productions have been hit in different ways. The Grammys were recently postponed, and television shows like NCIS and Grey's Anatomy have paused filming out of concern over the rising numbers. Meanwhile, there's been increased worry over how the box office can handle these renewed issues.
In the case of Star Trek: Picard, the Patrick Stewart-led streaming series has already been affected by the pandemic. The first season premiered just ahead of the crisis' onset, but filming on season 2 was delayed considerably. Originally planned to take place in 2020, Picard season 2 held off on starting production until the following year. The new episodes are slated to finally arrive next month, but Picard has already begun work on season 3, as both seasons were scheduled to film back-to-back.
Unfortunately, Star Trek: Picard has now hit another COVID-related speed bump. Per THR, filming on the series has been shut down since Monday because of a sizable outbreak. More than 50 members of the production across several areas (including the cast) have tested positive for COVID. Sources say filming could pick up again early next week, but details are in limbo. CBS Studios did not comment on the matter.
Assuming all those who have tested positive complete their necessary quarantines and no new cases emerge, Star Trek: Picard should have no issues getting back on track. However, it's hard to predict these situations, and it would be smarter for CBS Studios to be cautious when navigating this. While it's true that a number of productions have halted work amid the new surge, not all of them have been for positive cases; Grey's Anatomy and fellow ABC shows Station 19 and The Rookie were paused out of an abundance of caution. Star Trek: Picard has an outbreak to contend with, and the safety of those working on the show should be put first.
The bright side of this is that Star Trek: Picard season 2 should still be okay to debut sometime in February. Paramount+ hasn't scheduled a concrete date for its return, but the streamer is also set to release the back half of Star Trek: Discovery season 4 within that month as well. Provided Picard's shutdown doesn't stretch on for too long, Paramount+ should have no reason to push back season 2's premiere. Still, until things become official, everything remains up in the air. Here's just hoping Jean-Luc and the rest of his crew return sooner rather than later.
Star Trek: Picard season 2 will premiere in February on Paramount+.
Source: THR