How Exactly the SAG & WGA Strikes Will Affect Bridgerton Season 4?
As the strikes continue, the future of some shows is up in the air.
Season 4 of Bridgerton would have been underway by now had it not been for the ongoing strikes. But so would many other shows. Then there are the projects that have already suffered delays - some of which will almost certainly never get off the ground, even if a new normal is established in the industry.
And while we're on the subject of new normals, let's not forget that, in relative terms, these strikes come hot on the heels of Covid. So when will Bridgerton 4 premiere and what do the strikes mean for the future of the series?
Firstly, there is no way of putting a time on when production might begin. We don't even know how far into the process the scriptwriters were before things came to a halt.
There's also the risk that some writers will find alternative employment, either because the terms they've been offered no longer suit them, or because they simply can't hold out in this war of attrition.
But it's not just the writers who are on strike. Actors are also striking, and that could lead to other complications.
For example, Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton) has just joined the cast of Netflix's Toxic Town. So, once things get back on track, this could create a scheduling conflict for Jessie and any other cast members who are offered other roles. And that could lead to protracted legal battles, delaying things even further.
It seems unlikely that large sections of the cast will clamour to leave, given the success of the show to date, but apathy about the delay combined with excitement about new projects could lead to some key cast members leaving the show in favour of other ventures.
If this were to happen, the showrunners and writers would have to make some big decisions about the direction of the show. If they make the wrong choice, the whole atmosphere around Bridgerton could turn sour.
Finally, there's the question of audience appetite. Bridgerton was a popular series, and many fans are looking forward to its return to our screens. But people don't wait forever. The break between seasons of a show can be a time of anticipation, but there is a limit to how long it can be dragged out.
Other shows start to attract interest, fans start to read more about behind-the-scenes drama, and a once-popular show can quickly be consigned to the streaming equivalent of the bargain bin.