‘Westworld’ season 2 premiere could be delayed further

Fans of "Westworld" may have to wait much longer for the premiere of the next instalment. "Westworld" season 2 is facing another problem that may affect its production.

Creator Jonathan Nolan has admitted that the show could face another delay in production if the looming writers’ strike will not be prevented. Nolan earlier revealed in the recent PaleyFest that their writers are already in the process of creating episode 3 for season 2.

However, if the strike occurs, the hit robopocalypse series is expected to be held back further than its expected 2018 premiere. It can be recalled that the 2007–2008 writers’ strike had a massive impact on the TV industry. Several shows were either cancelled or pushed back off their schedule.

Nolan has explained what will cause the strike. Apparently, shortened-season shows such as the 10-episode "Westworld" is not beneficial for the crew. Vanity Fair notes that when writers are hired into exclusive deals, they are forbidden to find work elsewhere after the show ends. This means if the series only lasts 10 episodes rather than 22, their income is cut by more than half.

“We’re still paid per episode, and now it’s 10 episodes with exclusivity. If the show only takes a few months [to do], you‘re still held to the show. That’s a 60 percent reduction in income,” Nolan said.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Nolan does not want to have a strike. He, however, also hinted that he will vote yes on the strike authorisation ballots that the Writers Guild of America will send out next month.

“We’re at a sea change moment. And as with the last negotiation, which resulted in a strike — about anticipating the internet and Netflix and everything else — it’s important all parties come to the table and find a solution that works for everyone,” he said.

HBO announced in November 2016 that "Westworld" season 2 will premiere in 2018, which is more than a year after its season 1 finale. Most fans were already disappointed at the long wait, but the network had explained that they need more time since the production of "Westworld" is a huge project.

Meanwhile, HBO had already promoted to series regular two of the recurring cast members in the previous season of "Westworld." Both Louis Herthum and Talulah Riley will come back in the second season as series regular and will play Dolores’s father Peter Abernathy and Angela respectively.

"Westworld" season 1 premiered in Foxtel in Australia the same time as the US. HBO has yet to make an announcement if Australia will also have the same season 2 premiere date as the US.