Hacks,S.W.A.T.,Abbott Elementary, and more television productions have been paused amid the Los Angeles wildfires. At the time of writing, Los Angeles County is being threatened by multiple wildfires, with the most dangerous being the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire in Altadena. The Sunset Fire also briefly caused evacuations throughout Hollywood. These fires have resulted in multiple casualties and the destruction of more than 2,000 buildings. Their impact on the entertainment industry has included the delay of the2025 Oscar nominationsby two days.
PerDeadline, multiple television sets have ceased production amid the Los Angeles wildfires. As of the morning of January 9, shows such asHacks,Grey’s Anatomy,Abbot Elementary,S.W.A.T., andNCIShave temporarily shut down production amid uncertain weather conditions and the threat of both the spreading fires as well as smoke inhalation.The latest shows to join the temporary shutdowns areS.W.A.T.andSpider-Noir. Below, see a full breakdown of the shows that have officially shut down:
20th Television
What This Means For Impacted Television Shows
Ongoing Seasons May Not Be Affected
Ultimately,it remains to be seen how long these production shutdowns will last.Deadlinereports that at least one series is gearing up to return to production within a few days. However, it is unknown how long the fires themselves will last as they continue to threaten communities around Los Angeles and force evacuations. In addition to the danger they pose to shows' cast and crew, this could logistically complicate productions with increased traffic, more intense safety measures, a likely inability to shoot outdoors, and cast and crew handling their own evacuations.
Actors that have been evacuated or lost their homes amid the Los Angeles fires include Mark Hamill, Cary Elwes, James Woods, Mandy Moore, Anna Faris, Adam Brody, Eugene Levy, and John Goodman.
However, these shutdowns may not last longer than a few weeks. At the time of writing, the Eaton Fire is not contained, but its growth has been slowed to the point thatevacuation orders have been lifted in the surrounding areas of Glenoaks Canyon and Chevy Chase Canyon. If the Palisades Fire is brought to a similar state of containment, studios may deem it safe to resume production, in which case, shows - especially those that have not yet premiered like theupcomingSpider-Noir- will likely be able to maintain their current schedule or only have a few episodes delayed.
Our Take On The Television Production Delays
The Los Angeles Fires have had an impact on the community and the world at large, in ways both major and minor. The delays of shows likeHacks,S.W.A.T., andAbbott Elementaryare among the more minor consequences of the devastation. However, the fact that this shutdown could potentially shake up the schedule of many beloved television programs such as thelong-runningGrey’s Anatomyspeaks to the intense ripple effect that disasters like the Los Angeles fires have, andwill hopefully help raise awareness among communities across the country and the globe about those in need amid the ongoing blazes.
Hacks
Cast
Hacks, released in 2021, is a dark comedy series that explores the evolving relationship between Deborah Vance, a legendary comedian in Las Vegas, and an ambitious, outcast young writer. The show delves into the complexities of mentorship and creativity in the entertainment industry.
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary comedy series centered around a group of dedicated teachers at a struggling public school in Philadelphia. The show highlights their efforts to overcome bureaucratic challenges and underfunding, while showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact on their students' lives.
S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T. (2017): This crime-action series follows a locally born S.W.A.T. lieutenant in Los Angeles who must navigate his loyalties between the streets and his duty to commanding a highly-trained unit responsible for resolving challenging crimes. The series explores themes of allegiance, justice, and responsibility within law enforcement.
