Bridgerton Season 2 production suspended indefinitely due to COVID-19

Netflix isn’t having an easy time completing Bridgerton Season 2. Deadline reports that the Regency-era drama has halted production for the second time in a week after another positive COVID test.

Given reports of the Delta variant now surging across the nation and the fact that the series previously shut down just last week for a full 24 hours, Netflix and Shondaland producers have opted to cease production indefinitely until it’s safe for every to return to work.

Every person on set is now in quarantine for the time being, although the streamer has not indicated whether or not the person who tested positive was a cast or crew member.

Right now, Lady Whistledown has been silenced for the foreseeable future, but safety comes first. As Deadline notes, this proactive testing is a reminder to all film and television productions that testing and safety measures should remain vigilant.

The Bridgerton Season 2 shutdown comes on the heels of multiple Emmy nominations.

It’s not all bad news for Bridgerton. The first season was watched by a record number of viewers as it became the biggest Netflix Original series ever, watched by an astounding 82 million households across the globe. It also received 12 Emmy nominations this week, including one for leading man Regé-Jean Page, who will not be returning for the second season.

Given the hold-up, it’s now likely that the show will not return until late 2022. Fans who might have been hopeful for the show to return at Christmas 2021 since it debuted on Christmas 2020 will likely be disappointed.

When Bridgerton premiered last year, it proved to be a welcome escape at the tail end of an extremely challenging year. The romantic series and stunning production values made the series a tailormade for a holiday season debut. It’ll be interesting if Netflix holds the sophomore season until late 2022 to try and recapture that vibe. Although, depending on how long the production shutdown lasts, they might not have a choice.

The first season of Bridgerton is currently available to stream on Netflix.