CBS’ Magnum P.I. is the latest production trying to eye some kind of production start in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and it looks like they have a target in mind.
The series, which is heading into its third season, films in Hawaii and is looking to get back to work by mid-August. While a spike in coronavirus infections throughout the continental U.S. is raising doubts about production restart plans in COVID-19 hot spots like California and Georgia, and New York’s slow reopening timeline would likely not allow for filming to begin before September, Hawaii and Vancouver have emerged as appealing alternatives because they’re keeping the spread of infection low. Both the state of Hawaii and the British Columbia province imposed strict measures, including travel restrictions and 14-day self- quarantine for anyone flying in from the outside, which has kept the outbreak in check. Both areas have been posting single-digit to teen new cases a day recently and rarely new deaths. The state still has a mandatory 14-day self-isolation until the end of July. After that, out-of-state visitors can avoid quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
Hawaii also has the lowest rate of infection and death of any U.S. state. According to the state’s department of health, 926 total positive COVID-19 cases have been identified, and 18 people have died. With low coronavirus levels in Hawaii, making for a safe production environment, Magnum P.I. could be the first U.S. primetime series on American soil to emerge from the coronavirus-related shutdown. CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful, a daytime soap opera, can claim bragging rights for being the first series of any kind to return back to work in the States. They have been shooting new episodes for about a week.
Starring Jay Hernandez, Magnum P.I. follows Thomas Magnum (Hernandez), a private investigator and former Navy SEAL, who solves crimes in the state, after returning home from Afghanistan and repurposing his military skills. The series also stars Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Tim Kang, and Amy Hill.
