The CBS soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” became the first U.S. television series to return to production Wednesday, following shutdown orders issued at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Staff for the show returned to its Television City soundstage in the Fairfax District on Wednesday. No airdate has been set for new episodes, but producers hope to begin airing them in early-to-mid July, according to The Wrap.
California health officials allowed film and TV production to resume as of June 12, subject to county health officers’ review and based on safety protocols agreed to by labor and management and vetted by public health officials.
“The Bold and the Beautiful” cast and crew members will be tested for coronavirus on a regular basis, and a COVID-19 director will be on set at all times to make sure government and union protocols are followed. This includes fewer people allowed on set, social distancing and wearing face masks at all times, with an exception made for actors who are filming a scene.
“The health and safety of our cast and crew are of foremost importance to us,” executive producer and head writer Bradley Bell said. “We will be following all protocols set forth by the state of California, the city of Los Angeles, the county of Los Angeles, Television City as well as the various guilds.”
The show’s return will also be marked by some interesting changes regarding love scenes.
“We have some life-like blow up dolls that have been sitting around here for the past 15 years, that we’ve used for various other stories — (like) when people were presumed dead,” Bell told Forbes. “We’re dusting off the dolls and putting new wigs and make-up on them and they’ll be featured in love scenes.”
For intimate scenes that involve touching and require a live body, the show will use actors’ spouses, provided they test negative for COVID-19, Bell added.
“The Bold and the Beautiful” — which premiered on March 23, 1987 — is the most-watched U.S.-produced daytime drama in the world and a three-time Daytime Emmy winner for outstanding drama series.