A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the company behind the Apple+ series “The Morning Show” as they sought to recover tens of millions of dollars in losses from production shutdowns due to COVID, reports Deadline.
Always Smiling Productions sued Chubb National Insurance Co. last year, claiming that the insurer adopted “arbitrary restrictions” on coverage for the series, and interpreted the show’s policy in a way that would limit its obligation. The producers said that they incurred $44 million in losses from the COVID-19 shutdown and delay of the second season, reports Deadline.
U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin wrote that he was “unpersuaded” by Always Smiling Productions’ claim that an insurance provision covering “physical loss or damage” covered the losses incurred by the shutdown. The judge cited a ruling against CAA and UTA, in which courts found that the impact of the virus on physical property was inconsequential. The judge also rejected that another provision of the policy, covering ingress and egress to a location is prevented because of physical loss or damage, also would apply to the losses to COVID, notes Deadline.
Apple has renewed “The Morning Show” for a third season. The first two seasons are available on the streaming service.
Starring and executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, directed by Mimi Leder and produced by the studio Media Res, Hello Sunshine and Echo Films, season three of the broadly acclaimed drama will be showrun and executive produced by Charlotte Stoudt (“Fosse/Verdon,” “Homeland,” “House of Cards”).
