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 yet for new episodes, but producers hope to begin airing them in early-to-mid July, according to The Wrap.
California health officials have 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.
On “The Bold and the Beautiful,” cast and crew will be tested for coronavirus daily, 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 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,” executive producer and head writer Bradley 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” premiered on March 23, 1987. The afternoon show averages more than 3 million viewers a day.