Brooklyn Nine-Ninestar Terry Crews said the sitcom has been forced to abandon four new episodes in the wake of protests over George Floyd’s death.
The hit NBC comedy, which follows the exploits of a well-meaning but dysfunctional New York police unit, finished filming its seventh season in April.
Crews, who plays Lieutenant Terry Jeffords on the show, told Access Daily: “We’ve had a lot of sombre talks about it and deep conversations and we hope through this we’re going to make something that will be truly groundbreaking this year. We have an opportunity and we plan to use it in the best way possible.
“They had four episodes all ready to go and they just threw them in the trash. We have to start over. Right now we don’t know which direction it’s going to go in.”
Floyd died while being apprehended by Minneapolis police officers in May. One officer, Derek Chauvin, was filmed kneeling on his neck for more than eight minutes, and has since been charged with second-degree murder.
The incident sparked a wave of global protests over systemic racism and police brutality.
In the same interview, Crews described the reaction to Floyd’s death as “Black America’s #MeToo movement”.
“We always knew this was happening,” the actor continued, “but now, white people are understanding.”
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the cast of Brooklyn Nine-Nine had donated $100,000 (£80,000) to the National Bail Fund to help aid protesters.
