Reports of “Glee” delaying its fifth season until November proved false, but the show will indeed start later than expected in the wake of star Cory Monteith’s death.
With Monteith’s passing delaying production until August, FOX and the “Glee” producers confirmed Friday that the upcoming season will now premiere on September 26, a week later than had been first announced.
“In light of the tragic passing of beloved GLEE cast member Cory Monteith, the series’ executive producers, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company have jointly decided to delay the start of production of GLEE until early August. Season Five of GLEE will now premiere on Thursday, Sept. 26 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. No further details are available at this time,” says the statement.
Monteith, whose character Finn Hudson was absent from the final few season four episodes so the actor could complete a rehab stint, was due to return in the season five premiere and be a centerpiece of the first few episodes.
“Glee” has not yet confirmed how it will address the death in storyline.