TV Shows That Used COVID-Era Restrictions Creatively

The recent global pandemic dramatically changed how television shows were made. Filmmakers had to find new ways to tell stories, dealing with safety restrictions and travel limitations while audiences were stuck at home. Some shows directly addressed the virus in their plots, while others used technology to film remotely with smaller teams. This challenging time actually led to a surprising amount of creativity, resulting in some truly unique and personal television experiences.

‘Staged’ (2020–2022)

David Tennant and Michael Sheen star as themselves in a funny BBC series where they attempt to rehearse a play online via Zoom. The show brilliantly captured the everyday struggles and annoyances of being stuck in lockdown, using humor and spontaneous moments. It was filmed entirely using video calls, and featured famous actors filming their parts from their own homes.

‘Mythic Quest’ (2020–Present)

The special episode, ‘Quarantine,’ showed what it was like for the gaming studio’s team to work from home. It cleverly used screen recordings to delve into feelings of loneliness and the importance of mental wellbeing. Rob McElhenney and the cast filmed everything on iPhones they were given, and despite being physically separated, the show was surprisingly moving and impactful.

‘Bo Burnham: Inside’ (2021)

Bo Burnham’s comedy special is a one-man show filmed entirely by himself in his guest house – no crew or audience were involved. He wrote, directed, filmed, and edited the whole thing during a challenging year. The intimate and confined setting really highlights themes of mental health struggles and our relationship with the internet. It’s a unique and powerful reflection of the isolation many people felt during the pandemic.

‘The Blacklist’ (2013–2023)

Production on season seven was unexpectedly halted before the finale could be filmed. To finish the episode, the creators used animation, creating a graphic novel-like style for the missing scenes. The actors recorded their lines remotely, and editors combined this with the existing footage. This unique combination of live-action and animation allowed the season to reach a satisfying conclusion despite the challenges of the lockdown.

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

The cast of the show reunited for a special episode designed to raise money, using the fictional Gryzzl app as a way for the characters to connect. The episode followed Leslie Knope as she checked in on her friends during the quarantine, and the writers did a great job of weaving the real-world crisis into the show’s existing story. It was a successful event, raising money for food banks and giving fans a comforting connection to the show.

‘South Park’ (1997–Present)

The long-running animated comedy created a special hour-long episode addressing the global pandemic. The episode follows Randy Marsh as he tries to capitalize on the crisis, while the town deals with issues like wearing masks and staying socially distanced. Because it’s animated, the show could quickly respond to real-time events in a way live-action shows can’t. This episode was the first of several specials focused on life during the pandemic.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–Present)

The show’s seventeenth season focused on the challenges of the pandemic inside a busy hospital. The main character, Meredith Grey, gets sick with the virus and experiences dreamlike visions of characters from the past, allowing beloved actors to return while she’s in a coma. The season paid tribute to healthcare workers by realistically portraying the emotional and physical strain they faced.

‘The Morning Show’ (2019–Present)

Filming was stopped and scripts were revised to include the developing global health crisis in the show’s second season. The story follows the virus’s early spread, showing how it impacted the newsroom and the lives of the news anchors. It captures the uncertainty and anxiety felt within the media during the outbreak’s beginning. To mirror real-life conditions, the show featured deserted city scenes and broadcasts filmed remotely.

‘Superstore’ (2015–2021)

The last season of this comedy focused on how the pandemic affected people working in essential retail. The employees at Cloud 9 faced challenges like customers buying up all the supplies, and had to enforce rules about masks and safety. The show managed to be funny while also showing the difficult and dangerous reality of working low-wage jobs during that time, and it captured what it was like for retail workers specifically.

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

The show’s eighth season addressed the pandemic, along with other challenges facing the police. Viewers saw officers wearing masks and struggling with the demands of their jobs during the health crisis. The writers tried to keep the show funny while also acknowledging the seriousness of what was happening in the real world, showing how even lighthearted comedies felt the need to reflect these changes.

‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022)

The Pearson family’s story dealt with the challenges of the pandemic, showing how they adapted to social distancing and held family gatherings remotely. The show’s writers didn’t avoid the situation; instead, they addressed it head-on. Many scenes showed characters wearing masks and keeping their distance to reflect real-life safety measures, all while still focusing on the family’s emotional struggles and relationships.

‘Shameless’ (2011–2021)

I was really struck by how the final season of Shameless wove the pandemic into the Gallaghers’ already tough lives on the South Side. It was fascinating – and sadly realistic – to see Frank questioning everything, while the rest of the family just tried to get by when money got even tighter. What really hit home was how clearly the show portrayed the huge differences in how the crisis impacted people depending on their circumstances. Even with everything going on – the masks, the cleaning, all of it – the show never lost its raw, honest feel. It felt incredibly authentic.

‘Euphoria’ (2019–Present)

Because of delays in filming, two special episodes were made focusing on the characters Rue and Jules. These episodes were filmed with a small group of actors and crew to ensure everyone’s safety. The simpler, more focused approach allowed for a deeper look into the characters and longer conversations. They served as a connection between seasons while still keeping the show’s distinctive look and feel.

‘The White Lotus’ (2021–2025)

Mike White intentionally designed this film to be shot entirely at one location – the Four Seasons Maui. The cast and crew lived together in isolation at the resort during filming. This allowed them to create a visually stunning movie despite travel limitations caused by the pandemic. The resort’s luxurious setting also became an important part of the story, reflecting the lives of the wealthy characters.

‘Social Distance’ (2020)

Netflix created this series of standalone stories to portray life during quarantine. Each episode explores a unique challenge people faced while locked down, from dealing with loss to struggling with addiction. The actors filmed the episodes themselves at home, using equipment provided by Netflix. This approach was a creative way to overcome the difficulties of making films during the pandemic.

‘Coastal Elites’ (2020)

This HBO special features five individual performances where characters share their thoughts on the challenging political and health issues of the year. Presented as video calls, each actor speaks directly to the audience, capturing the widespread anxiety and division many Americans felt. The show’s simple format puts the focus entirely on the power of the writing and the actors’ abilities.

‘Black-ish’ (2014–2022)

The sitcom tackled the real struggles of people working through the pandemic, like essential workers and parents juggling remote schooling. It followed Dre and Bow Johnson as they tried to keep their family happy and healthy at home. Using a mix of animation and live action, the show captured the craziness of the time and offered a funny, but heartfelt, look at how the crisis affected a successful Black family.

‘Connecting…’ (2020)

This NBC comedy took place entirely through video calls, following a group of friends as they navigated the early days of the pandemic. It showed how they dealt with lockdowns and personal challenges, and its unique format allowed it to quickly reflect the events of that year. Though it didn’t last long, the show aimed to portray how technology helped people stay connected during a time of isolation.

‘Saturday Night Live’ (1975–Present)

I was so impressed watching them! Faced with incredible challenges, the show didn’t skip a beat. They completely reinvented how they made things, filming hilarious sketches entirely from everyone’s homes – even using just their phones! The host and musical guest joined in remotely too. It really showed how incredibly talented and adaptable the whole cast and crew are, and it was amazing to see them pull it off.

‘All Rise’ (2019–2023)

This legal show created an episode that realistically portrayed how courts functioned during the pandemic, using video calls like FaceTime and Zoom for the trial. The characters navigated the legal proceedings while also dealing with the challenges of lockdown. Clever visual effects made it seem like the actors were interacting face-to-face, even though they were filmed separately. It was a pioneering effort, being one of the first network dramas to pull off a successful remote episode.

‘Help’ (2021)

This British drama, set in Liverpool during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, tells the story of a care worker and one of their patients. The filmmakers use extended shots and directly address the audience to make the experience feel incredibly real and impactful. The film powerfully portrays the shortage of protective equipment and the difficult circumstances faced by care homes, ultimately serving as a moving and heartbreaking acknowledgment of the challenges faced by frontline care workers.

‘Isolation Stories’ (2020)

I was really fascinated by this series on ITV. It’s four short dramas, and what’s amazing is they filmed everything in the actors’ actual homes! The stories really captured what it was like when lockdown suddenly changed everyone’s lives. It felt so authentic because often their family members were the ones behind the camera, helping with the filming. It was a really quick and creative way to reflect what we were all going through as a country.

‘The Good Doctor’ (2017–2024)

The fourth season began with a two-part episode showing how doctors immediately responded to a new virus. Dr. Shaun Murphy and his team struggled to understand and treat the unknown illness, while also dealing with the personal toll of being separated from their families to stay safe. The episodes highlighted the intense exhaustion and emotional stress faced by healthcare workers.

‘Bull’ (2016–2022)

As a film buff, I really noticed how this legal drama cleverly wove the pandemic into its storytelling. It wasn’t just mentioned – they showed us a court system that had adapted. Empty galleries, jurors separated by plastic shields… it felt incredibly real. And everyone wearing masks as they moved around the courthouse or interacted with each other? That visual detail really grounded the stories in the time it was filmed, making it feel much more authentic and immediate. It wasn’t just about the legal cases, but about how those cases were happening during such a unique moment in history.

‘NCIS: New Orleans’ (2014–2021)

The show realistically portrayed the pandemic’s effects on New Orleans. Throughout the series, Pride and his team investigated crimes while also navigating the challenges and restrictions faced by the community. The economic hardship hitting the city’s music and restaurant scenes was a key part of the story, and safety measures like masks and new protocols were seamlessly woven into the police work.

Please share your thoughts on which show handled the restrictions best in the comments.

2025-11-27 23:47