‘Glee’ Season 5 Premiere Date Rumored To Be Delayed Due To Cory Monteith Death

Due to the death of “Glee” star Cory Monteith, fans of the hit Fox series may have to wait until November for the season five premiere. Just a few weeks away from filming, producers on the show are unsure of how to deal with the sudden and shocking death of the 31-year-old actor.

Monteith played fan favorite character Finn Hudson. “Glee” was set to resume filming for its fifth season in the next couple of weeks, with the cast – including girlfriend Lea Michele – gathering in late June to take season five promo photos. With the actor’s untimely death, producers are unsure of the next move to make, and a source revealed to the New York Daily News that the show might push back its Sept. 19 premiere date to sometime in November.

Fox officials began talks on Monday following Monteith’s death over the weekend. Although the executives are exploring various options, one idea being thrown around is to delay production for about a month so that the cast and crew could “breathe.” However, a Fox spokesman declined to comment to the New York Daily News about the rumors.

Monteith’s character, Finn, was rumored to be playing a major role in the first two episode of season five. Season four concluded with Finn reconciling with Mr. Schuester after kissing Emma, and returning to co-direct new Directions at McKinley High.

Scott Huver, a Hollywood entertainment and pop culture expert, told Fox411’s Pop Tarts column that besides leaving “a major hole in the heart of the show,” the writers and producers also have to address a couple of plot lines. For starters, Finn and Rachel’s (Lea Michele) romantic relationship on the show was “the most significant.” The character of Finn was also set up to take over the role of glee club coach if Mr. Shue (Matthew Morrison) ever decided to leave the series.

“While the ‘Glee’ staff and especially series creator Ryan Murphy have never shied away from handling controversial, tragic or dark subject matter, translating Monteith’s loss into a ‘death of Finn’ storyline may simply prove to be too sad and all-consuming for the series” explained Huver. “But glossing over his absence seems unrealistic. Whatever they decide, the writers will have to proceed very delicately lest dealing with the outcome overwhelm the show’s generally light, fun-loving tone.”

Another insider told Hollywood Life that “there will be a tribute episode, and the season will be dedicated in his honor.”

Monteith was found dead in his Vancouver hotel room on Saturday. An autopsy was completed on Monday, with initial results to be released on Tuesday.