Los Angeles fires stops production of major shows like Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS among others

The entertainment business suffers extensive closures as flames sweep over Los Angeles. Shows are suspended—Grey's Anatomy and NCIS among them—, premieres are postponed indefinitely, and Critics Choice Awards are suspended as well. Powerful winds and dry weather drove the wildfires that have overtaken Los Angeles, prompting evacuations and disrupting daily life.

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Productions grind to a halt — Grey's Anatomy and NCIS among them

The fires have forced major studios to close their doors and suspend filming across Hollywood. Warner Bros. shut down production at its Burbank lot, affecting shows like Abbott Elementary, All American, The Pitt, and upcoming projects, including Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. Table reads, and rehearsals were also canceled as smoke filled the skies.

Over at 20th Television, sets for Grey’s Anatomy and Doctor Odyssey have gone dark. CBS Studios followed suit, halting work on NCIS, which films in Santa Clarita, and NCIS: Origins, shot on the Paramount lot. Sitcoms like The Neighborhood and Poppa’s House avoided disruption by switching to remote operations. Additional CBS shows, including FBI: Most Wanted and Blue Bloods, postponed scheduled shoots due to hazardous air quality.

The closures extended beyond production. Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and CityWalk also shut their gates to visitors. NBC Universal comedies like Grand Crew and dramas like Law & Order: Organized Crime and Chicago Fire also halted filming due to safety concerns. Late-night shows weren’t spared either. Jimmy Kimmel Live and After Midnight suspended tapings, adding to the eerie quiet settling over Los Angeles.

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Events postponed and premieres canceled

The fires claimed more than just production schedules. The 2025 Critics Choice Awards, originally set for January 12, were postponed to January 26. Even the SAG Awards nominations were affected. The live announcement was canceled, and nominees were instead revealed via a press release and the official website.

Production delays for many series, such as NCIS, for instance, raise questions about scheduling and storylines, with fans concerned about cliffhangers and unresolved cases left hanging as the fires continue to rage.

Also, the series renowned for its emotional storytelling and dramatic hospital scenes, Grey's Anatomy, saw its set oddly silent as smoke and ash enveloped its Los Angeles site. The long-running medical series that thrives on drama suddenly finds its own drama unfolding off-screen as flames stop filming and cast members are forced to evacuate.

Will we see this tragedy portrayed in these and other TV shows? Only time will tell. However, due to the scope of the tragedy, that is far from impossible. Anyway, this time, unfortunately, the drama feels too close to home. Quite literally.

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Landmarks and schools under threat

Several historic sites in Malibu also faced evacuation orders, including the Adamson House and Malibu Pier. As the fires crept closer to cultural landmarks, the Getty Villa Museum faced threats but managed to save its main structure and collections. However, its grounds suffered damage, forcing its closure until further notice. The Palisades Branch Library was not as fortunate, succumbing to the flames, while Palisades Charter High School was engulfed as well. Thankfully, the campus was empty due to the winter break. Schools across the Los Angeles Unified School District were forced to cancel classes, and some are being used as evacuation shelters.

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Displacement and uncertainty

The fires have displaced thousands of residents, including celebrities like Mark Hamill and James Woods, who took to social media to share updates and call for support. Reports also emerged of shelters being overwhelmed as more evacuees arrived, prompting calls for additional resources and emergency aid.

Hollywood professionals, from crew members to writers, expressed growing concern over job insecurity. With filming delayed indefinitely, many contract workers face financial instability, highlighting vulnerabilities in the industry’s infrastructure. Evacuation orders also affected support staff, including caterers, drivers, and set designers, who now face sudden unemployment.

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A city at the mercy of the flames

Hollywood may be used to writing disaster narratives, but this time, unfortunately, the story is unfolding in its own backyard. With productions stalled, awards postponed, and lives uprooted, the city finds itself at the mercy of forces beyond its control. As the fires rage on, Los Angeles must confront not only the flames but also the fragility of the systems it relies on to keep moving forward. Recovery efforts will demand coordination, resilience, and a renewed focus on protecting the city’s cultural and creative heartbeat.