The Flash: Halts Production after Positive Covid-19 Test
According to Deadline, “a team member working on the CW series The Flash in Vancouver has tested positive for Covid-19, Deadline has learned. The asymptomatic diagnosis was confirmed through the rigorous testing protocols implemented by The Flash studio Warner Bros. TV for all of its production employees. Out of an abundance of caution, production on The Flash has been temporarily suspended and contact tracing has been initiated. According to sources, the studio is currently evaluating adjustments to the production schedule in order to resume filming without the affected employee and potential close contacts, who are self-isolating.”
The Flash was among a number of series filming in Vancouver whose start of production was delayed because of a backlog at a local lab processing Covid tests.
CW’s lineup is taking a beating during this pandemic. CW cancelled Supergirl. The final season will consist of 20 episodes, filming in Vancouver. The show originally aired on CBS before it was cancelled there and then picked up for seasons two through five on the CW. At the end of Season 5, Lex Luthor defeated Leviathan and was on a mission to conquer the world.
As well, Black Lightning has been cancelled too. “When we first started the Black Lighting journey, I knew that Jefferson Pierce and his family of powerful Black Women would be a unique addition to the super hero genre,” series developer and executive producer Salim Akil said in a statement. “The love that Blerds and all comic book fans around the globe have shown this series over the past three seasons proved what we imagined, Black People Want To See Themselves in all their complexities.”
News of the series ending comes over a week after the CW ordered a backdoor pilot for a potential spinoff centered on the Black Lightning character, Painkiller.
“Thank you to the phenomenal cast, writers and crew without whom none of this would’ve been possible,” Akil continued. “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve been able to do and the moments we’ve been able to create in bringing DC’s first African-American family of super heroes to life for the culture. I’m very grateful to Peter Roth, Warner Bros. TV, Mark Pedowitz, The CW Network and Greg Berlanti for their partnership and support of my vision at every step of this journey. While Season Four may be the end of one journey, I’m extremely excited to usher in a new chapter and continued collaboration with The CW as we tell the story of Painkiller.”
With Arrow gone, the Arrowverse now called the CWVerse, 2021 to 2022 is going to look very different on the CW.
What are your thoughts on the changes on CW?
We wish everyone on The Flash a safe and healthy recovery!
Covering superheroes, anything dark, horror, and more! Lead writer for Fan Fest
