‘EastEnders’ bosses hope to resume filming by the end of June.
The BBC soap shut down production in March due to the coronavirus pandemic – while also cutting its weekly broadcast schedule from four episode to two in order to remain on air – but now the broadcaster’s director of content Charlotte Moore has given a major update.
She wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "We’ve been looking carefully at how we can safely put some of our shows back into production, and I’m pleased to announce that we plan to begin filming again on both EastEnders and ‘Top Gear’ by the end of June.
"We’re also exploring ways to restart shooting on dramas and other major BBC shows."
Charlotte confirmed the teams "will work within government guidelines", including limiting crew on site, having cast members doing their own hair and makeup and everyone observing social distancing measures.
She said: "We want to serve our audiences and help TV production get back on its feet, but the priority remains the safety and well-being of production teams and those who work with them.
"How we make shows will continue to evolve as lockdown is eased and government advice develops. But we all want the whole industry to safely return to
"Our shared goal is to find new ways of working to help fire up the engines of British TV production safely and sensibly."
Earlier this week, the UK government’s Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport issued new guidance and confirmed film and TV production could restart.
A spokesperson said at the time: "The government is working closely with the screen sector to understand how different types of productions can comply with social-distancing guidelines, and give confidence to people in the TV and film industries that there are safe ways in which they can return to work."
EastEnders bosses hope to resume filming next month
