EMMERDALE has dramatically revamped its set so that its actors can be filmed from afar.
Scaffolding platforms have been put up around houses in the village to allow cameramen to shoot the action from up high.
The first look at the new look set comes after HOAR exclusively revealed special safety measures the cast and crew are taking after returning to ITV studios to film lockdown scenes.
Pictures taken on Friday showed medics on hand to ensure that everyone had passed a medical test and the cast and crew’s safety was being observed.
Various members of the cast and crew were spotted heading into the studio, all armed with their own food and cups.
As there are no canteen facilities, the team will have to rely on bringing their own lunches and dinners to the set.
Among the familiar cast favourites were actors Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy Kirk, Lucy Pargeter, who plays Chas Dingle, and Nicola Wheeler, who plays Nicola King.
The exclusive photos showed the level of precaution ITV bosses are taking to ensure the smooth running of the soap, which includes going through a medical screening tent where their health will be assessed before continuing to the set.
There are also signs reminding staff to stay two metres away from each other and a queuing system are in place.
Another sign asks if anyone is feeling unwell and lists the symptoms of coronavirus, including a ‘dry unproductive cough’ and ‘shaking chills’.
Last week HOAR Online reported Emmerdale was the first British soap to resume filming.
With the backdrop of the pandemic, the characters also reflect the nation’s immense gratitude and thanks for the NHS with the weekly clap for carers and the people working on the frontline keeping our country safe.
The six new episodes – Cain and Aaron, Chas and Paddy, Sam and Lydia, Marlon, Al and Ellis, Mandy and Vinny and Jimmy and Nicola – will be recorded over a two week period and directed by Ian Bevitt.
ITV revealed in a statement that it still needs to reduce the number of episodes they show a week to just two from June 8.
A statement from ITV read: “Emmerdale will alter its transmission pattern to two episodes from week beginning 8 June in order to stay on air.
“The episodes scheduled will be those filmed featuring characters in lockdown.
“They involve much loved characters – Sam and Lydia, Cain and Aaron, Mandy and Vinny, Marlon, Al and Ellis, Nicola and Jimmy and Chas and Paddy – experiencing the trials and tribulations of lockdown.
“The two episodes will air on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm on ITV for three weeks, before Emmerdale will then resume a three episode each week pattern.”
Emmerdale recently returned to filming after shutting down production over the coronavirus pandemic.
The soaps production team commenced a phased return to filming by recording the six new episodes featuring characters during the lockdown.
However, it will not be a return to normal with the first six episodes shot featuring only two or three characters.
HOAR Online revealed that bosses hope the six special episodes will bridge the gap between pre-shot episodes and a fuller return to filming and avoid the soap going off air.
Filming began on May 20 at Emmerdale’s studios in Leeds involving a pared back crew to ensure health and safety protocols and social distancing measures are strictly adhered to by the team on set.
