This could’ve been avoided had the actors been given their fair deal in the first place, but alas, the studios force one last self-inflicted wound on the networks instead as a new agreement is reportedly reached. The one last shot? Punting new series intended for 2023-2024, this season, to next season, 2024-2025.
For CBS, whose entire schedule streams on Paramount+ in some fashion, this is going to affect the Kathy Bates-starring Matlock reboot and new sitcom Poppa’s House, starring father and son Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. Instead of premiering at midseason, they’re now being aimed for next fall. According to sources, The Good Wife spinoff Elsbeth, starring Carrie Preston, and Tracker, toplined by Justin Hartley remain on track for midseason. Tracker in particular has its very lucrative post-Super Bowl leadout position it wants to keep. Lead producing studio 20th Television has made getting production going ASAP to make it. Tracker was piloted in summer 2022 and given series order last December. A delay to next fall would make the journey to air more than two years.
As the SAG-AFTRA strike hits a tentative agreement on a contract, that doesn’t mean everything is back at the snap of a finger. Even for returning series, those will need between 3-6 weeks of prep and pre-production once a new contract is agreed to before new episodes can begin filming. New series need longer because all the work for casting, set building and relocation need to happen and finish too. This is especially the case for the Matlock reboot. The series has started a writers room following one of the best received pilots internally in years. However, while the pilot was filmed in Toronto, production for the series is relocating to Los Angeles and needs extra time so it can get to building sets.
In some ways, the delays work because rushing new series into a crowded midseason field with too few episodes ready, where they may fizzle before they can truly make an impact and develop followings. For CBS specifically the idea of launching four new scripted series in such a small frame, when viewers’ attention would likely be drawn to the delayed return of all the popular returning broadcast series, doesn’t sound enticing.
Source: Deadline
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