‘EastEnders’ bosses have suspended filming on the BBC One soap due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Bosses of the programme – which stars Adam Woodyatt, Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright – made the decision to halt production to protect the cast and crew from the respiratory illness which is claiming lives across the UK and the world.
They will now ration the eight weeks’ worth of instalments they have filmed in advance to two episodes each week instead of four so the show can stay on air.
‘EastEnders’ executive producer Jon Sen spoke to key cast members on Tuesday (17.03.20) about whether they wanted to keep going, or go home as filming on other dramas was halted, such as ‘Line of Duty’, ‘Silent Witness’ and ‘Peaky Blinders’.
A statement from ‘EastEnders’ read: "In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, it has been decided that filming on ‘EastEnders’ will be postponed until further notice. The decision was made after the latest government update. We will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the World Health Organisation and Public Health England. We have also taken the decision to reduce the amount of episodes we broadcast each week to two, so that we can ensure the audience can continue to enjoy ‘EastEnders’ in their homes for as long as possible."
‘EastEnders’ episodes will now air on Mondays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 7:30pm with immediate effect.
According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, ITV are also looking to cut ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘Emmerdale’ to two or three instalments a week.
The drastic plans are being made in case there are staff shortages and to preempt a potential government enforced lockdown period to stop the disease from spreading.
EastEnders halts production due to coronavirus pandemic
