Scott Maslen wants ‘EastEnders’ to be on the "frontline" for television when filming resumes.
The 48-year-old actor isn’t sure when the BBC soap will bring people back on set, but he has been encouraged by new government guidance suggesting TV production can start again as long as social distancing guidelines are observed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Appearing on ‘The Show Show’ on Wednesday (13.05.20), he said: "Something came out yesterday or today, advising that we can go back.
"I should imagine [we’ll] be on that frontline of the first ones to go back, so I’m waiting to hear, really."
Back in March, the Beeb halted production of ‘EastEnders’, ‘Holby City’, ‘Casualty’, ‘Doctors’, ‘River City’ and ‘Pobol y Cwm’ over coronavirus safety fears.
Scott – who has played Jack Branning on and off since 2007 – admitted he’s been missing the structure of filming, and being with his co-stars.
He added: "The routine [I’m missing], really. I’m so used to the grind. It ain’t a grind. It’s a great place to work. I miss all my friends."
Earlier this month, the ‘EastEnders’ team revealed no set date had been confirmed to return to filming, with the bosses waiting to make a decision based on medical advice.
Following reports that the cast and crew would be back by June, a spokeswoman previously said: "No dates have been set for filming to resume and we will not return until it is safe to do so. We will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the World Health Organisation and Public Health England."
Meanwhile, ITV Head of Studios Kevin Lygo has commented on how the pandemic has impacted plans for the channel’s soaps.
He explained: "Obviously lots of scripts were written for this period of filming, but they’re adapting some. I think we’ve got to accept there’ll be more ‘two people talking in a room’ type stuff. They’re looking at ways of shooting where people don’t appear to be six feet apart, and so forth."
Scott Maslen thinks EastEnders will be on soap ‘frontline’ when filming can resume
