Netflix to Proceed with ‘Building the Band’ Series in Wake of Liam Payne’s Death

Netflix are reportedly moving ahead with their Building the Band reality series following the recent passing of judge Liam Payne.

News of Building the Band first broke in August 2024, with Netflix revealing they had recruited Payne as a judge for the show alongside the Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger and Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland. The Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean was also confirmed to host. 

Planned to film over the summer, the series’ novel concept revolves around bringing together a number of talented singers and tasking them with crafting their own bands without ever seeing each other. Through the use of isolated booths, the singers would then have to select their bandmates based upon musical compatibility, connection, chemistry and merit.

“And when the bands finally do meet, how will looks, choreography, and style come into play?” asked a press release. “Expect plenty of drama, next-level artistry, and unforgettable performances.”

Following the untimely passing of Payne in October 2024, it was confirmed the series’ filming had wrapped in the U.K. earlier in August, though its future appeared unclear.

Now, Netflix have reported they will be moving ahead with the series as planned, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. 

Though the streaming platform stated they never had announced plans to shelve the show, their issue instead revolved around how prominently Payne would feature in the aftermath of his passing. 

Netflix reportedly hosted a “special presentation” regarding the series in Los Angeles on Wednesday (Jan. 29), during which Netflix Vice President of Nonfiction Series and Sports Brandon Riegg explained that the platform had been involved in conversations with Payne’s family about how to handle his role in the show.

Currently, no premiere date for the series has been announced, though Riegg reportedly claimed there would be more to say about the matter in the future.

Payne passed away in Argentina on Oct. 16 following a fall from a hotel balcony. Earlier this month, a U.K. inquest into Payne’s cause of death returned a finding of “polytrauma”, which refers to multiple traumatic injuries to a person’s body and organs.

To date, five people have been charged in Payne’s death, including the January arrest of Braian Piaz, one of two men accused of supplying drugs to the singer. The others charged to date include CasaSur Palermo Hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi and Payne’s friend Roger Nores, all of whom are facing manslaughter charges; hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra has also been charged with supplying drugs to the singer.