Below Deck fans will still be able to look forward to a new season of the show. The Bravo series had reportedly finished shooting most of Season 8 by the time production was suspended due to coronavirus.
It was only a matter of time before the reality TV show halted filming. Almost all television shows have suspended production during the current health climate.
What halted production means for Below Deck’s new season
Page Six is reporting that Below Deck was in the middle of filming in the Caribbean when producers shut it down. A source close to the reality TV show has revealed that all cast and crew members have been sent home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“They’re wrapping early and flying everyone home. There were a few more yacht charters that they were supposed to film that it doesn’t appear that they’ll get to,” shred the insider with Page Six.
What that means for the upcoming season of Below Deck remains to be seen. The source did share that there should be minimal setbacks for Season 8.
Since not all charters were able to film, it could mean fewer episodes in the season. Over the years, the episode count has varied. Season 1 had the fewest with only 11 episodes. Season 7 had the most episodes to date, with 18, not including the dramatic reunion.
Watching #BelowDeck repeats and @capthlr is making this #coronapocalypse feel a little bit better. pic.twitter.com/4yZX5UHi3k
— Dr. Adina-My Family Genie (@MyFamilyGenie) March 15, 2020
Another possibility is that the premiere date could either be delayed or pushed up. The season has been filmed, and that means Bravo has it in the can to use whenever the network deems necessary.
What we know about Season 8 so far
In true fashion, Bravo is keeping details of Below Deck Season 8 under wraps. There are only a couple of things fans have learned so far.
Kate Chastain is not coming back as chief stew. Much to fans dismay, Kate announced after the reunion show that she is starting a new chapter in her life. There is speculation that Kate has landed a new series with Bravo based on her life in New York City.
Captain Lee Rosbach may or may not be part of the season. He did not say he was exiting the show. However, his social media had Captain Lee in Atlantic City with Kate last week. The captain posted a picture of the two of them together.
A tweet from the captain saying that he is back home on March 16 has fans convinced he was filming Below Deck. However, it could be that Captain Lee was referring to his trip to Atlantic City to hang with his best pal.
Bravo rarely revels the cast until weeks before the new season. There is one thing fans can bank on, though. If Captain Lee is still in charge, not a single crew member from last season will be back. He might bring Courtney Skippon on board, but chances are that he is ready for a fresh start.
Below Deck returns to Bravo in 2020.