Comedic actor Will Ferrell was briefly removed from filming for his new Netflix golf comedy after a minor off‑set injury, sources said on November 12, 2025. The incident forced production to postpone scenes scheduled this week at the Bicycle Casino outside Los Angeles. Producers have reshuffled the shooting calendar while Ferrell recuperates; the injury is described as non‑serious and the expectation is a short absence. The series remains a 10‑episode, untitled Netflix project in which Ferrell plays fictional golf legend Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins.
- Production pause: Filming was postponed for scenes planned this week at the Bicycle Casino, just outside Los Angeles.
- Injury severity: Sources call the condition minor and say it did not require hospitalization.
- Series scope: The project is a 10‑episode Netflix comedy centered on Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins, portrayed by Ferrell.
- Schedule impact: Producers temporarily rearranged the week’s shooting schedule to accommodate recovery.
- Public response: Representatives for Ferrell and Netflix had not commented publicly as of November 12, 2025, 6:00 PM PST.
- Safety note: Industry insiders emphasize on‑set safety protocols and insurance coverage remain central in production decisions.
Background
Will Ferrell, a long‑established figure in film and television comedy, is starring in an untitled Netflix series that plays on professional golf and celebrity eccentricity. The show—set to run ten episodes—follows the exploits of Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins, a fictional larger‑than‑life golf legend whose persona drives much of the ensemble comedy. Production had scheduled a block of scenes at the Bicycle Casino, a commonly used Southern California location for exterior and interior shoots. Film and television projects of this scale typically maintain contingency plans, including insurance and alternate scheduling, to limit disruption when personnel are temporarily unavailable.
Recent years have seen productions tighten on‑set health and safety procedures, both because of pandemic protocols and a broader industry focus on workplace risk management. Unions and studios now routinely plan for cast absences and maintain insurance policies to cover delays or medical issues, making short interruptions more manageable than in past decades. For a comedy series anchored by a marquee name like Ferrell, studios generally weigh short schedule shifts against the logistical complexity of recasting or significant rewrites.
Main Event
According to production sources, Ferrell sustained a minor injury off set that prevented him from safely or comfortably shooting the scenes slated for this week. The report did not specify the mechanism or exact location of the incident, only that it occurred away from the set. Because the planned material required physical presence and timing with other cast members, producers chose to pause those specific shoots rather than proceed without the lead performer.
On November 12, 2025, production adjusted the weekly schedule to prioritize scenes that did not require Ferrell, while deferring his scenes until he is cleared to return. Team members on site were said to be following standard protocols for cast health and safety; filming continued in other areas of the schedule. Netflix and Ferrell’s representatives were contacted for confirmation but had not provided a statement by the reported time.
The series itself remains on track as a 10‑episode order. Creatively, the character Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins is central to the show’s narrative, so delays affecting Ferrell risk clustering deferred scenes later in production—an outcome producers typically mitigate through adjusted block shooting or compressed schedules when the principal actor returns.
Analysis & Implications
Short, actor‑related pauses are common in contemporary television production; the decisive factors for cost and schedule impact are the length of the absence and whether insurance covers related expenses. For a ten‑episode order, a brief, single‑week postponement is unlikely to alter the overall delivery timeline materially, provided the actor recuperates quickly and no additional complications arise. Production budgets often include contingency line items for precisely this kind of disruption.
From a creative standpoint, scenes that hinge on the lead’s physical comedy or specific interactions may be harder to reassign to later shoots without incurring greater costs or logistical friction. Producers generally prioritize shooting scenes that keep supporting units productive while minimizing idle time for locations and crew. If Ferrell needs only a short recovery, the series can usually absorb the delay through reordering and later consolidation of his scenes.
There is also a reputational element for both the talent and the streamer. Netflix benefits from transparent, prompt communication in such cases to manage expectations among cast, crew and the public. For Ferrell, a widely recognized comedic star, a brief absence is unlikely to affect his public standing; health and safety protocols typically garner audience sympathy rather than criticism.
Comparison & Data
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Series order | 10 episodes |
| Primary location (this week) | Bicycle Casino, near Los Angeles |
| Reported pause | Scenes scheduled this week (short, temporary) |
| Injury severity | Described as minor, non‑serious |
The table above outlines the concrete, reported production facts: a ten‑episode Netflix series, a temporary pause affecting this week’s shoots at Bicycle Casino, and a minor off‑set injury to the lead. These data points frame the likely operational response—schedule reshuffling and short recovery—while underscoring that the core project metrics (episode count, casting) remain unchanged.
Reactions & Quotes
“The actor sustained a minor injury off site, and producers opted to adjust the shooting plan for the week to ensure safety and performance quality.”
Production source (anonymized)
“Short absences are typically accommodated through schedule re‑sequencing and insurance provisions to keep larger delivery timelines intact.”
Industry production consultant (anonymous)
Unconfirmed
- The exact cause and mechanics of Ferrell’s off‑set injury have not been publicly disclosed.
- The specific length of Ferrell’s absence and the precise date he will return to set remain unconfirmed.
- Whether an insurance claim or formal workers’‑compensation process has been initiated has not been reported.
Bottom Line
Will Ferrell’s brief sidelining halted a week’s worth of scenes for the Netflix golf comedy but—based on the available information—represents a short, recoverable interruption rather than a major production crisis. The series remains a 10‑episode project, and producers have already rearranged the schedule to limit idle time and contain costs. Close watchers should look for official statements from Netflix or Ferrell’s representatives and for any announcements about adjusted release timelines if further complications emerge.
For now, the practical outcome is straightforward: safety and performance quality guided a temporary pause, and the expectation from sources is a quick return to filming once medical clearance is granted. The incident underscores the routine operational risks in TV production and the standard mechanisms—rescheduling, insurance, union protocols—that manage them.