Red Rock's future has been left in doubt following TV3's decision to put the show on a production hiatus until next year.
The Irish soap was initially meant to return in September, but now won't be back on screens in Ireland until next year, and the cast and crew of the drama have ceased filming for the time being.
It is understood that the production is obliged to vacate its set at the old John Player cigarette factory site in Dublin, due to the fact the lease is coming to an end.
In the meantime, it has been confirmed that Red Rock will return to TV3 in January, with 23 commissioned episodes to be played out over the year – while the rest are still subject to further confirmation.
A spokesperson for the show said: "Red Rock will be returning to TV3 in January – with 23 episodes to be played out over the year
"Due to this scheduling plan and the imminent development of the John Player site, future production plans on Red Rock regarding filming and location will be subject to confirmation early next year.
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"In looking at our content pipeline we have to cut our cloth depending on the needs of our schedule. TV3 will broadcast three drama series in 2018 – the most drama ever for the broadcaster."
It's not just Red Rock's future in Ireland that is in doubt – it's not entirely clear what will happen to it in terms of being shown on the BBC when its current series comes to an end.
The most recent series in Ireland was written with post-watershed content, so they wouldn't be able to show it at 1.45pm on the BBC without heavy cuts.
Red Rock first aired in January 2015 and is currently Ireland's most successful television export thanks to deals with Amazon Prime and the BBC – where it has had audiences of more than 1 million.
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