I think they'd be wise not to put any dates on it until they have some certainty - the over-promise/under-deliver cycle was the main cause of the "Discovery in Crisis" narrative.I wouldn't rule out a late 2018 start just yet. The sets are there, the main actors are cast. They could start filming around April for an October release of the first part of the season. Then do a longer Walking Dead-style break and come back in Spring 2019 for the second part.