Production on the seventh season of NBC’s The Blacklist was suspended due to cornavirus, but Sony Pictures TV has figured out how to complete an episode to serve as the season finale – they used “graphic novel-style animation” to complete the story.
Season 7’s 19th episode “The Kazanjian Brothers” was halted mid-principal production in New York when almost all TV production was shutdown due to COVID-19. Animation will be added to the already filmed live-action scenes to complete the story.
According to Deadline, cast members including James Spader and Megan Boone recorded dialogue from their homes for the animated versions of the new scenes, with editors and animators completing the work remotely.
The episode’s logline: The Task Force investigates an accountant who works for lucrative criminals in order to find the violent and thuggish brothers hired for his protection. Liz must make a momentous decision. Presented in a unique hybrid of live-action and graphic novel-style animation.
“The Kazanjian Brothers” will air May 15. The series has already has been renewed for an eighth season when production can restart.
#TheBlacklist is going to be more animated than usual. The season finale will feature a hybrid of live-action and graphic novel-style animation when it airs Friday, May 15 at 8/7c on @NBC. pic.twitter.com/HMpJLH4GTh
— The Blacklist (@NBCBlacklist) May 5, 2020