Longstanding star of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks Sarah Jayne Dunn has shed light onto how the show is dealing with the escalating coronavirus crisis – as the soap announced on Thursday that only three episodes will be aired a week for the foreseeable future.
The actress, 38, has been shooting scenes as her character Mandy as normal, but said that the idea is to ‘get as much in the can’ as possible.
She told The Sun: ‘We’re in the same boat as everyone else. The current situation is we’re taking everything day by day. Currently, we’re just cracking on and getting as much stuff in the can as we can, and then we’ll see.
Cracking on: Longstanding star of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks Sarah Jayne Dunn has shed light onto how the show is dealing with the escalating coronavirus crisis – as the soap announced on Thursday that only three episodes will be aired a week for the foreseeable future
‘I hope it doesn’t affect anything, but obviously everyone’s health and safety is paramount and at the forefront of everything. Everyone’s being very sensible.’
The Hollyoaks press office said on Thursday: ‘We are planning ahead to make sure Hollyoaks stays on air for as long as possible.
‘As we continue to monitor the current situation and follow PHE advice in order to continue filming safely for the time being, we will make changes to the schedule so that from March 30 Hollyoaks episodes will be broadcast Monday to Wednesday on Channel 4 and E4.
‘In the event that we have to take a break from filming we will look to revisiting some favourite episodes from recent years so Hollyoaks fans don’t miss out.’
Sarah – who is mum to three-year-old Stanley – has been staying indoors where possible and has swapped the gym for home workouts.
Reduced hours: The actress, 38, has been shooting scenes as her character Mandy as normal, but said that the idea is to ‘get as much in the can’ as possible
She told The Sun: ‘We’re in the same boat as everyone else. The current situation is we’re taking everything day by day. Currently, we’re just cracking on and getting as much stuff in the can as we can, and then we’ll see’
Keep calm and carry on: Sarah – who is mum to three-year-old Stanley – has been staying indoors where possible and has swapped the gym for home workouts
She also told the publication that ‘being a parent you’re more nervous and anxious about everything’ and said: ‘I have that feeling where your heart is living on the outside of your body now.’
The UK’s other mainstay soaps – BBC One’s EastEnders and ITV’s Coronation Street and Emmerdale are reducing the amount of episodes they will broadcast per week for the foreseeable future.
EastEnders has suspended filming completely for now. ITV are still in production but over-70s cast members are not at work.
Further information on the soaps can be found below:
EASTENDERS
In a statement shared Wednesday the BBC said: ‘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.’
In reference to their scripted programmes Casualty, Doctors, EastEnders, Holby City, Pobol y Cwm and River City, the corporation said: ‘In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, it has been decided that filming on all BBC Studios continuing dramas 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 organisations.’
Desolate: The BBC Studios in Elstree has been completely deserted as may of its shows suspended filming until further notice
Warning: A sign outside the studios warned staff members to stay at home if they have any symptoms
Locked down: The studio was deserted as filming on various shows was suspended, including Holby City, Casualty and Scottish soap River City
It is thought that EastEnders’ films up to six weeks in advance, meaning they would have around 24 episodes worth of content already filmed.
Under the new broadcast measures, this would mean that EastEnders would be able to spread out their filmed episodes for up to 12 weeks.
A spokesperson for the soap has told MailOnline that while filming has been suspended, scriptwriters and other members of production are working remotely where possible.
Following this news, it was revealed that the BBC Studios in Elstree have been completely closed.
A sign outside the deserted studio warns staff members to stay away if they suffer from any symptoms.
CORONATION STREET
ITV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale are also reducing their number of weekly episodes in a bid to ration shows they’ve already filmed.
A statement from the broadcaster on Wednesday said: ‘The continued transmission of both soaps is a priority to all of us at ITV and to our audiences who enjoy the shows. Whilst carefully adhering to the latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England, our production teams are continuing to film episodes in Manchester and Leeds.
‘With this change of transmission pattern it will ensure we have great new soap episodes coming to air every weekday night until at least the early summer.
Cut: ITV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale are also reducing their number of weekly episodes in a bid to ration shows they’ve already filmed
‘With effect from Monday 30 March Coronation Street and Emmerdale’s scheduling pattern will be changing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Emmerdale will air Monday to Friday at 7pm and Coronation Street Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm.’
Coronation Street will therefore reduce its number of weekly episodes from six to three and Emmerdale will move from six to five.
A source told The Mirror that ITV bosses have also held crisis talks as many elderly cast members have shared their concerns about coming into work.
Coronation Street currently has six full time members of cast over the age of 70: Bill Roache who plays Ken Barlow, Sue Nicholls (Audrey), Maureen Lipman (Evelyn), Rula Lenska (Claudia), Barbara Knox (Rita) and Malcolm Hebden (Norris).
Legendary: Cast members, such as Corrie’s William Roache (pictured as Ken Barlow) and Malcolm Hebden (Norris Cole) could be told to stay at home, with bosses reportedly writing scenes that won’t feature older stars
An insider on the soap has said: ‘We can’t force people to carry on coming to the set when the nation is being told to work from home if it’s possible. Some people have a lot of anxiety.
‘It’s very difficult to know how to proceed when the situation and advice is changing all the time.
‘We very much want to do everything we can to keep the show on the road, but we also have to respect people’s choices about their own health.’
It has also been reported that Coronation Street have banned kissing scenes between cast members to desperately try and prevent the spread of the virus.
According to reports, any scenes that involve kissing are now being rewritten to make sure there is ‘limited physical contact.’
Kissing ban: According to reports, any scenes that involve kissing are now being rewritten to make sure there is ‘limited physical contact’ (Maria Connor and Ali Neeson kissing on the soap in February)
A source told The Sun: ‘All of the soaps are desperate to keep running. If they disappear out of the schedules there’s huge gaps which is a major headache.
‘Coronation Street shoots about six to eight weeks in advance, so viewers might see some kissing in the next month or so, but the scenes they’re shooting right now will have nothing of the sort in. They are taking no chances.’
An unnamed Coronation Street cast member who went into self-isolation 10 days ago after returning from an affected country did not develop symptoms and has now returned to work.
ITV are putting in measures in place for castmembers still filming, displaying a sign at the back gate of the Coronation Street Studios in Media City, Manchester on Wednesday, advising fans that cast members will not stop for autographs or photographs.
Precaution: ITV are putting in measures in place for castmembers still filming, displaying a sign at the back gate of the Coronation Street Studios in Media City, Manchester on Wednesday, advising fans that cast members will not stop for autographs or photographs
Arriving for work: Ben Price who plays Nick Tyldesley and Ryan Prescott who plays Ryan Connor were seen reading the sign as they arrived for work on Wednesday
EMMERDALE
Some of Emmerdale’s renowned older cast members include Chris Chittell (who plays Eric Pollard), Duncan Preston (Douglas Potts), Diane Sugden (Elizabeth Estensen), Patrick Mower (Rodney Blackstock) and Steve Halliwell (Zak Dingle).
It’s been reported that soap writers are trying to plan episodes that won’t feature the older cast members, as they join a slew of shows being forced to suspend production.
ITV Studios creative director John Whiston previously confirmed that they would use Coronation Street and Emmerdale to remind viewers to wash their hands.
He said: ‘Because we script and shoot so far in advance we don’t generally reflect contemporary issues.
‘However we are going to use the soaps to remind people of important public health issues such as the need to wash their hands. We’ll try and do more such messages going forward.’
Kevin Lygo, ITV Director of Television gave an overview of ITV’s response to the coronavirus crisis on Wednesday, stating: ‘Coronation Street and Emmerdale are Britain’s two most popular soaps with millions following both shows. The continued transmission of both soaps is a priority for all of us at ITV and to our audiences who enjoy the shows.
‘The latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England is making filming both shows a real challenge – particularly with cast and crew members who are over 70 or have underlying health conditions.
‘Through a mix of changes to production and scheduling we are confident that we can keep broadcasting new episodes of both shows over the coming months.
‘On the production front we are filming with fewer cast and crew and we’re scaling back location shooting whilst adhering to the Government’s guidelines.’
Over 70: Cast members on ITV soaps such as Emmerdale’s Duncan Preston (pictured) are reportedly stopping film in line with government advice for over 70s to self isolate
