Actor Cory Monteith’s death has shocked his family, friends and fans. And naturally, it will have drastic consequences for Fox’s hit show Glee.
The final few Glee season 4 episodes were altered to remove Finn Hudson’s storyline, due to the actor checking into rehab.
However, Monteith, who died tragically this weekend, was meant to return to the show in season 5.
Glee was scheduled to commence filming at the end of July, but news outlets are now speculating that production may be halted as the cast and crew figure out how to deal with the unexpected loss of one of their lead stars.
Presumably, Glee showrunner Ryan Murphy and his team of writers will have to rework most of the scripts and storylines, and there is also the issue of giving the people working on the show time to deal with the personal loss of Monteith.
We presume and hope Fox will give the show’s team time to grieve and then consider how they can move forward.
E! Online has reports of several sources close to the show speaking about how this may affect its future, with one person stating, “It is too soon to tell.”
“Everyone is in shock,” adds another. “To say that Cory was much loved on the Glee set doesn’t even begin to do him justice.”
We expect a more concrete statement about the future of Glee will be released once the cast and crew have been allowed time to deal with the shock and grief of Cory Monteith’s death.
Glee season 4 ended with Finn enrolling at the local college, where he had begun studying to be a teacher.
Finn and on-and-off girlfriend Rachel (played by Lea Michele) were not together when the season ended, but all signs pointed to them reconciling in season 5.
Monteith’s girlfriend and co-star, Lea Michele, has asked for privacy while she deals with the loss.
Mark Salling (Puck) has shared a heartbreaking reaction to the news on Twitter, saying:
going through a million memories and emotions today. ill love you always Brother Cory.
— Mark Salling (@MarkSalling) July 14, 2013
Salling, along with Heather Morris (Brittany), Amber Riley (Mercedes) and Harry Shum Jr. (Mike) will not be regular characters in Glee season 5.