Production on Chucky, the USA Network and Syfy series about the demonic doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer, has been delayed until next year. The show was set to begin filming later this year, but has now been pushed to 2021 due to continued pandemic production shutdowns.

As reported by Deadline, the delay in filming will not necessarily impact the series’ anticipated premiere date in 2021, as producers are still optimistic that production can be completed in time. Chucky, from showrunner and Child’s Play creator Don Mancini, was originally set to air this year before the pandemic struck and forced the initial delay. A slick teaser trailer debuted this past July revealing the iconic doll in a dimly lit toy store and plugging the new 2021 release date. The series will reunite Mancini with Brad Dourif, who voiced the killer doll in the original Child’s Play film and multiple sequels. Jennifer Tilly, who played Tiffany in Bride of Chucky and its three direct sequels, is reportedly also involved with the series.

After a vintage Chucky doll turns up at a suburban yard sale, an idyllic American town is thrown into chaos as a series of horrifying murders begin to expose the town’s hypocrisies and secrets. Meanwhile, the arrival of enemies and allies from Chucky’s past threatens to expose the truth behind the killings, as well as the demon doll’s untold origins as a seemingly ordinary child who somehow became this notorious monster.

As production shutdowns continue, we’re going to see more shows and films get delayed until next year and beyond. As a Chucky fan, this news bums me out in particular, but I’d much rather everyone involved continue to be safe and responsible than to endanger anyone’s health to try and get the show through production. For more on Chucky, check out the teaser trailer.

via Collider