EMMERDALE will run out of episodes in May and TV bosses are considering a raft of measures get filming again as soon as possible.
ITV boss Kevin Lygo revealed that actors could be tested for coronavirus when they return to set during a (virtual) chat at the Edinburgh Television Festival.
He also said that older actors will be protected for longer so characters like Eric Pollard, played by 71-year-old
Soap bosses could maintain social distancing on set by using camera trickery to make actors look closer than they are.
He said we’ll also see more two-handers – episodes based entirely around two characters to minimise footfall in the studio.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the soap to halt filming last month and its weekly TV schedule was reduced to prolong its run until more episodes can be shot.
The schedule shake has left fans confused as it’s still Easter in the village.
Meanwhile last week the soap’s fans were convinced the soap predicted the coronavirus outbreak – with a protest over Johnny being ill at day care.
The toddler son of vet Vanessa Woodfield was sent home from day care at the village hall after sneezing over the snack boxes.
He had been sent to day care to keep him away from his mum Vanessa who is undergoing a course of chemotherapy to fight her bowel cancer.
Doctors had told her to minimise her contact with germs while hr immune system is compromised by the treatment.
But with his step-mum Charity finding his aunt Tracy bringing him home early, she asked what was going on.
She said: “What’s he doing back? Last time I checked there was at least another two hours left at the village hall yet.”
Tracy told her: “Harriet rang, some of the parents saw him sneeze over the snack boxes and caused a protest.
“I know, he’s got a bug not the bubonic plague. What’s the matter with them?”
The ill-timed joke had fans convinced the soap must have predicted the current outbreak of coronavirus.
One wrote: “Do u think that sneeze reference was to do with coronavirus? #Emmerdale.”
A second said: “Start of coronavirus. #Emmerdale.”
Another added: “All these plague and spreading germs lines of dialogue tonight though… #Emmerdale.”
* Emmerdale airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at 7pm on ITV
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.hellofaread.com/soap-opera/coronation-streets-jack-p-shepherd-shares-rare-picture-of-daughter-nyla-10-as-she-works-out-to-joe-wicks/
