The sudden death of Glee star Cory Monteith has producers wondering how to decide the direction of the newest season of the Fox show, which is set to start shooting in August.
Fox News reports that Monteith’s tragic death in Vancouver over the weekend has show executives scrambling. The actor, who was 31, had a lead role in the popular musical television show, as pop culture expert, Scott Huver explains.
“Not only has Monteith’s character Finn been part of the show’s most significant romantic relationship opposite Lea Michele’s Rachel, in the fourth season he appeared to be being long-term positioned to eventually assume the role of glee club coach and overall student mentor,” Huver said. “He leaves a major hole in the heart of the show that will be challenging for the writers and producers to address.”
Just yesterday, producers of the show tweeted their reaction to Monteith’s passing via the show’s Twitter .
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic news,” one tweet read. “Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person.”
Huver says that while the producers of the show “have never shied away from handling controversial, tragic or dark subject matter,” he expects they will have a rough time “translating Monteith’s loss into a ‘death of Finn’ storyline” because it may harm or “overwhelm the show’s generally light, fun-loving tone.”
Friends and co-stars of the beloved actor shared their shocked reactions to his death as the news dominated the media. Co-star Harry Shum Jr. tweeted his shock and grief, writing, "At this time, please send nothing but love and light. This tragic news still doesn't seem real to me. I love you Cory."
An autopsy for Monteith was scheduled for today. The actor had a history of drug abuse, but had exited a treatment facility in April.
Image: Fox