Star Trek: Picard becomes another TV production that is affected by the recent outbreak of Covid-19. According to Deadline, the Paramount + series paused its production process after more than 50 cast and crew members tested positive for the virus. However, Deadline’s source suggests that Patrick Stewart (X-Men), the lead actor of the series, remains healthy for now. 

Sources say more than 50 members of the production team for #StarTrek: Picard tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the Paramount+ series to immediately shut down https://t.co/SwT8pDeBhG

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 7, 2022

Star Trek: Picard is the eighth Star Trek series and debuted in 2020 as part of the expanded Star Trek Universe. The plot follows the aftermath of Star Trek: Nemesis and the 2009 film Star Trek. In Picard, Data is dead and the planet Romulus is destroyed. Stewart plays the retired Jean-Luc Picard in the series. The first season of Picard ran from January 23 to March 26, 2020. It contains ten episodes. The first season received praises from both audience and critics, breaking viewership records and winning a Primetime Emmy Award. 

Season two of Star Trek: Picard has wrapped its production. The current production that is affected is for the third season, which is scheduled to premiere in 2023. The production team contains more than 450 people. Filming paused Monday but is looking to resume on Friday. Season three will follow Stewart’s character into the next chapter of his life. The third season was officially renewed in September 2021. Production of the third season began right after the filming of season two ended in September. 

The series is produced by CBS Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. It is created by Akiva J. Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind), Michael Chabon (Unbelievable), Kirsten Beyer (Star Trek: Discovery), and Alex Kurtzman (People Like Us).  

The dramatic surge of Covid-19 cases has swept the entertainment industry lately. Production of NCIS had to stop its progress because people were testing positive on set. NBC’s Chicago Fire delayed its filming due to rising health concerns. The Critics Choice Awards and the Grammys postponed their ceremonies until further notice. The 2022 Palm Springs Awards Gala was canceled; recipients will now accept their awards via delivery. 

Season two of Star Trek: Picard will launch in February 2022. Like season one, there will be ten episodes. It will be available to stream on Paramount+. 

Photo: Ray Flotat