Adam Rose/FOX Glee has tackled an impressive number of hot-button issues over its five-year run, and gay rights in Russia could possibly be next, E! News has learned.
The Fox hit is considering moving a major storyline—and its most notable gay character— to Russia for the sixth and (presumably) final season, according to multiple insiders who work on the show. "We are mulling around the idea of moving Kurt (Chris Colfer) to Russia," says one source, adding that creator Ryan Murphy and his production team are entertaining three possible ideas for the final year. One is to move the series' storyline solely to New York City. Another is to move Kurt to Russia. And another remains to be seen, but could possibly include McKinley High (the series' original home).
The series' direction has not yet been decided. And whatever happens, Glee's series production will definitely stay in Los Angeles for the final season, E! News has confirmed. There has been no decision yet as to which option the show will take. TVLine first reported the New York-only idea.
Fox has no comment on upcoming storylines.
A recently enacted Russian law outlaws "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors," sparking protest within the LGBT community. Kurt recently got engaged to his on-off boyfriend Blaine (Darren Criss) in one of TV's most elaborate engagement scenes, a storyline that was prompted in part by the Defense of Marriage Act ruling.
Murphy, Brad Falchuck and Ian Brennan have been reevaluating the arc of the series following Cory Monteith's tragic death this past summer.
Clearly, both the New York and Russia plans have a lot of moving parts to consider. For example: Would Blaine or any of the main characters join Kurt in Russia? Who, if anybody, would join Rachel (Lea Michele) and Santana (Naya Rivera) in the Big Apple? What will happen to the McKinley High crew, including Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison?
Glee's current season has been splitting time between Lima and New York, and much of the enthusiasm of the viewers has been directed toward the storylines with Rachel, Kurt and Santana. Even the guest stars appearing on the show (Demi Lovato, Adam Lambert) are being dropped into Glee's New York world. With Glee headed toward its sixth and likely final season, Murphy has been forced to find a way to end the series without his original plan involving Finn and Rachel.
"The final year of the show, which will be next year, was designed around Rachel and Cory/Finn's story," Murphy told reporters recently. "I knew what the last shot was, he was in it. I knew what the last line was, she said it to him. So when a tragedy like that happens you sort of have to pause and figure out what you want to do, so we're figuring that out now."
What do you think of Kurt moving to Russia? Or everything to New York? Hit the comments!