Apple TV+ shows suspend active filming from outside studios due to coronavirus

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in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited March 2020
Apple has suspended all active shooting on projects managed by outside studios, including "The Morning Show," "Foundation," "See," "Lisey's Story," "Servant" and "For All Mankind," according to a report on Friday.

Morning Show
Apple debuts "The Morning Show" at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City last October.


The decision to halt production of what appears to be a majority of Apple TV+ originals comes amid worldwide concerns over the spread of COVID-19, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

On Friday, Apple, along with Skydance Television, announced filming of "Foundation" has been temporarily suspended in Ireland. The project is responsible for more than 500 jobs in the region.

"The health and safety of our cast and crew is our top priority and we are closely monitoring the situation," Skydance said in a statement to Deadline.

Media Res, which is working with Apple on the second season of "The Morning Show," made a similar announcement on Thursday, saying it is taking a two-week hiatus from production to assess the situation. "The Morning Show" is shooting at Sony's studios in Hollywood.

In addition to Apple, a number of major production, distribution and broadcast companies have shut down or accelerated wrap timelines due to COVID-19, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The pandemic has impacted some 35 shows at NBCUniversal, while CBS, Disney and Warner Bros. Television Group are feeling similar effects to their respective programming schedules. Netflix nixed all scripted TV and film physical production and prep for two weeks in the U.S. and Canada in accordance with government restrictions, the report said.

Neither Apple nor its partners discussed when shooting will resume, though it could be months considering how quickly the virus is spreading. On Friday, President Trump declared a national emergency to combat the coronavirus threat, releasing $50 billion in funding for the effort and instituting measures designed to alleviate fallout from the situation.
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