Production on the fourth season of Killing Eve has been delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Shooting of new episodes had been due to get underway next month but according to Deadline, those plans have now been abandoned and there is currently no date set for a restart.

The BBC America series relies heavily on location shooting, mostly across Europe, but current lockdown and distancing measures across the continent render filming impractical.

Rumours have suggested that another factor is US-based Sandra Oh's alleged reluctance to fly into Europe, but the publication claims that such speculation is wide of the mark.

"Killing Eve shoots across multiple European locations," said a show spokesman. "Due to the uncertainty of the world as a result of COVID-19, no shooting schedules for Killing Eve season four have been locked in at this point and there are various scenarios in play."

Season four had been due to premiere in April 2021 but is now almost certainly on course to be delayed.