It has been less than two weeks since Clare Crawley was announced as the new Bachelorette.
And just like that, her journey has been postponed.
The news came late this week as the concerns over the COVID-19 virus continue to rise.
With schools closing and the government asking people to stay indoors and self-quarantine to avoid being infected, it only makes sense to halt production on a long list of television shows.
That, unfortunately, includes Clare’s season of The Bachelorette.
Clare Crawley’s season of The Bachelorette has been postponed
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Television group issued a statement concerning the decision to postpone The Bachelorette.
“With the rapidly changing events related to COVID-19, and out of an abundance of caution, Warner Bros. Television Group is halting production on some of our 70+ series and pilots currently filming or about to begin.
“There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on any of our productions, but the health and safety of our employees, casts and crews remains our top priority.
“During this time, we will continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control as well as local officials and public health professionals in each city where our productions are based.”
The new season was set to start filming this past Friday, but production decided to shut down that same day.
The new season was originally scheduled to begin airing on May 18 at 8/7c on ABC.
Clare Crawley’s premiere date could remain intact
ABC hasn’t changed the premiere date despite the delay in production.
The statement doesn’t reveal how long the show is on hiatus, but production could pick back up in two or three weeks when schools and organizations return to work, including the NBA and the NHL.
Production could be influenced by whatever decisions the government makes, but as it stands at the moment, production could still begin in time for her premiere date in May.
Clare was scheduled to start filming at the Bachelor mansion this past Friday. She has already filmed her introduction to the show.
She was spotted filming with someone who looks like her ex-fiance earlier in the week in Sacramento.
The Bachelorette marks Clare’s fourth chance at love. She was first introduced to Bachelor fans back on Juan Pablo Galavis’ season of The Bachelor.
Then, she was on the first season of Bachelor In Paradise but eliminated herself. A year later, she returned but sent herself home once again.
When she filmed The Bachelor: Winter Games, she got engaged to Benoit, but the two only decided to remain friends.
The Bachelorette is expected to return this spring.