Coronation Street back in business! Cast and crew RETURN to cobbles to resume filming after 3 months

Coronation Street’s cast and crew have returned to work – stepping foot on the famous set for the first time in almost three months.

Production on the UK’s longest-running soap opera was halted at the end of March, when TV shows across the world began to shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

ITV’s other veteran soap Emmerdale, as well as BBC’s EastEnders and Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, all ceased filming while the UK went into lockdown, with broadcasts slots reduced and fears that networks would run out of new episodes.

But the cobbles were back in business on Wednesday, with actors and production staff returning to the dormant sound stages and iconic Weatherfield neighbourhood, which is situated close to Manchester.

Under the television industry’s return-to-work rules, cast and crew kept away from one another, filming scenes with the UK’s continued 2 meter social distance rule in place.

Despite this, it’s been said by Corrie bosses that coronavirus will not dominate the forthcoming storylines. However, kissing scenes will be banned in accordance with the on-set rules.

In somewhat bizarre behind-the-scenes images released by ITV, the stars were seen interacting on the cobbles of Coronation Street, but standing carefully apart from each other. 

Similarly, camera operators kept back, and directors, producers and production assistance appeared few and far between. 

In addition, those not in the scenes were spotted wearing protective face masks, keeping COVID-19 at bay.

Despite rules still stringently in force in the UK when it comes to the public’s indoor interaction, the cast and crew were back on interior sets, returning to the familiar household sound-stages of Corrie’s residents.

Cast were seen in their ‘homes’, while camera crew kept way back, and producers watched the action from monitors out of the way. 

Tape is being used to cordon off the sets, keeping actors and crew apart from one another, strictly implementing on-screen and off-screen spaces.

The taped-off sets were vaguely reminiscent of a police-protected crime scene as the staff of the show got back to work under the new-normal conditions.

Backstage, script supervisors and wardrobe and make-up artists were seen perched on chairs, carefully set away from each other, no doubt glad to be back to work regardless.

The entrances of the Corrie studios and sets also have a series of signs displayed, enforcing social distancing upon arrival. 

New safety measures have been put in place at ITV studios including medical screening, safe-distance queuing and ambulances on set amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The channel’s Health and Safety team and medical advisers have been working closely with the government to consult on social distancing guidelines to ensure the team are working in accordance with return-to-production protocols.

ITV also revealed that they would not have any shoots on location, while scripts have been adapted to include fewer scenes and a small number of actors so that the cameras don’t need to be moved on a regular basis.

Corrie producer Iain MacLeod has also explained that cast have been told to keep their hands to themselves and to leave props alone unless absolutely vital to a scene.

‘If you consider that every time somebody touches something that has been bought in from our buying team, then been placed on set by somebody from our design team — that’s three possible chains of transmission for any virus particles that might be on any of their hands,’ he said. 

Crew are also using coloured poles to keep stars apart. ITV boss John Whiston revealed: ‘We going to do blue and red and then people pointed out that there were too many tribal football loyalties around so I think, on Coronation Street it’s green, orange and pink to sort of try and avoid that.’  

Stars such as Michael Le Vell, Sally Dynevor and Alexandra Mardell were spotted arriving at the set to get back to work this week. Michael was seen arriving at the set on Monday with Sally and Harry where they were met with security guards wearing face masks.

Actor Andy Whyment recently shared a picture of new scripts, having been sent them in the post. Taking to his Instagram page, he penned: ‘New scripts EXCITED!’ 

As the actors return to filming, the plan is to make enough shows to continue airing three episodes a week to ensure the soap remains on-screen in July.

ITV bosses previously confirmed that older cast members will be kept at home during the first few weeks of filming. 

Cast and crew over the age of 70, or with an underlying health condition, will be kept at home during the early stages.

This may be sad news for soap fans, as cast members who fall into that age bracket include William Roache (who plays Ken Barlow), Barbara Knox (Rita Tanner), Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts) and Maureen Lipman (Evelyn Plummer). 

It had been reported that older stars may still appear via video calls, with boss MacLeod confirming as such this week.

‘Have we considered having the older or medically vulnerable cast on Zoom calls? The answer to that is yes!’ he said. ‘We’re very keen to make sure we keep as many of our wonderful cast and brilliant characters on screen as we can.

‘In some cases, they can’t physically be in the building but I know the audience will thank us for keeping sight of them – they’re all well loved and fantastic performers – we’re keen to see them as much as we can.’

Despite COVID-19 not being the main focus of life on Coronation Street as the stories continue, the soap won’t ignore it – with the first references to the health crisis being made in an episode scheduled to air on July 24.

‘We took the view that it’s better to let viewers see the new world that we all live in rather than talk about it,’ explained MacLeod. ‘I don’t think people tune in to Coronation Street wanting to see more people banging on about the pandemic. We want to stay true to what Corrie is, not suddenly turn it into a medical drama or a soap version of the Dustin Hoffman movie Outbreak.

‘It’s been incredibly challenging – this is a programme about social interactions and romance and punching someone in the Rovers, all of which require you to be closer than two metres to your co-stars.

‘On kissing, we had a scene which would have required Character A to have lip-on-lip contact with Character B so instead the writer had to very cleverly craft the scene so that the come on was verbal. It works equally well.’

Actor Ben Price (Nick Tilsley) explained this week that his current emotionally-charged storyline with Jane Danson (Leanne), has been taxing to perform, given that their on-screen son is battling a life-limiting illness.

‘The scenes are incredibly touching and there was a moment where as Nick, I wanted to give her a hug, but I couldn’t,’ he said, with Jane adding: ‘We couldn’t physically touch each other but it didn’t feel too different. We found ways of looking at each other.’

Other stories have either been scrapped or adapted – or put on hold – to allow the new normal. Scenes due to be shot away from the cobbles have been re-set, while others have been pushed back months – even into next year in some cases.

Of a car accident sequence due to be shot, MacLeod revealed this will be one scene that will remain: ‘It’s two people in vehicular jeopardy that will look like they’re right on top of each other and touching but will be shot with no-one going within two metres of each other at all. In instances like that, we’ll be cheating it.’

Elaborating on ‘cheating’ their way through this, he added: ‘Our request to directors has been: cheat it. We will use focal distancing and foreshortening to make it look like married couples are closer than they are and create a bit of intimacy. Otherwise it will look peculiar if they are unnaturally distancing.’ 

Of how he thinks viewers will react when, all of a sudden, COVID-19 is referenced in Weatherfield when the new episodes are aired, he said: ‘Like someone has flipped a switch, those episodes are the first ones written and designed after the pandemic hit. Characters will be acknowledging the disease and it will be a kind of day/night transition in terms of our fictional universe.

‘I agonised long and hard over this – I think the audience understands the circumstances in which we’re making these episodes and will go with it. There might be a few comments on Twitter. There wasn’t really any other way of doing it. We’ve got a mature audience and they understand the world we live in.

‘I’m hoping that what the audience will see on screen will not be a diminshment of the quality that we always put on the TV. It will be equally good – just a bit different.’

Fellow ITV boss Whiston, also explained that he is concerned about the soap getting back to work but then hitting further national complications – for example if there is a second wave of the coronavirus in the UK.

‘We have to plan for when certain stories are going to peak – if we get knocked off kilter we might have to do a Christmas bubble and just bring that in. We’ve got plan A, plan B, plan C and plan Z at the moment,’ he said.

The show will celebrate 60 years in December and explained that some of these celebratory storylines have required a rewrite.

Of this, MacLeod explained: ‘We’ve had to strip out some of the bigger Hollywood spectacular elements and to my immense relief below all of that are three or four fantastically good stories, including a salacious love triangle. Once we stripped away all the crash, bang, wallop what we’ve been left with is essential soap viewing.’ 

Earlier this month, Emmerdale became the first British soap to resume filming after production was halted.

Actor Danny Miller opened up about what it’s like to film scenes under the new guidelines, saying that at times it had been ‘difficult’.

Speaking on Wednesday’s Lorraine, the Aaron Dingle actor also described himself and co-star Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle) as ‘guinea pigs’ after being the first cast members to begin filming the unique episodes.

Last month it was revealed that Emmerdale’s production team had recorded six new episodes using a pared back crew at the show’s studios in Leeds, with stories focused on characters in lockdown.

ITV confirmed that social distancing measures and safety protocols were put into place and strictly adhered to by the team, with the episodes being recorded over a two-week period.

One of the episodes include a two-hander between Cain and nephew Aaron, with Cain struggling over his feelings for estranged wife Moira, while Aaron becomes angered after his uncle hides a letter by his imprisoned husband Robert Sugden.

Discussing the filming and how it differs from their usual work, Danny explained: ‘The distance obviously is different. We’re having to abide by rules and stay 2 metres apart. Believe it or not, it’s a lot more difficult for us to just do the everyday work because on top of that we’re in charge of cleaning and looking after our own props.

‘The distance thing between television is kind of unsaid realise because you don’t realise how close you get to the director when you show them your scripts and suddenly you’re there.

‘So there was people who was put in place to kind of be there and ensure that we didn’t get carried away and suddenly face to face. It was difficult, a lot different obviously.

Meanwhile, the star opened up on making sure they adhered to the rules while filming, telling Lorraine Kelly: ‘Jeff and I were used as guinea pigs if you like. We were very nervous to do this anyway. Not only do you have to keep yourself safe by keeping your distance but make sure you have to make sure you’re keeping everyone else safe too.’

Elsewhere, with both Cain and Aaron having been forced to confront their feelings over their other halves, Danny praised the ITV soap for highlighting the importance of men opening up about their feelings.

He said: ‘The whole lockdown experience and what we’re going through is encouraging us all to do that. I think Emmerdale are very good at picking out the topical stories and kind of creating them into the norm. 

‘Cain and Aaron are two characters in Emmerdale who stereotypically in this world that we live in wouldn’t want top talk to each other, and are two alpha males – beer and fighting an all that kind of talk that they do.’

He continued: ‘But when it comes to the aspect of talking, it’s completely different. Aaron is a lot more acceptable and receptive of talking about his feelings whereas Cain isn’t. And myself suffering with anxiety and depression, it’s amazing how a) I was very pleased to be part of it and b) that Emmerdale were tipping their hat to mental health.’

Meanwhile, Jeff appeared on Loose Women where he also discussed the lockdown episodes.

Speaking to the panel, he said: ‘What’s great about this episode is that they have this journey to go on. Our episode was a well-crafted episode and was a joy for Danny and I to work on.

‘Again in these times, it’s about trying to find positives and negatives. Because of these restrictions of these episodes, it’s less event based stuff, so there’s no car crashes or things like that. It’s going back to the “kitchen sink” drama which is what people love.’

The star also joked that he almost forgot how to act after months away from filming due to lockdown restrictions. 

He added: ‘Even when you go on holiday, you come back and you’re a little bit rusty. I felt particularly rusty, felt like I was really “acting” which was first few scenes. But then it’s like riding a bike, you don’t forget it.’

Previously speaking about the lockdown episodes, Executive producer Jane Hudson said: ‘Lockdown has created an opportunity for us to focus on what is important in our lives.

‘When we first discussed commissioning these episodes back in March the writers instantly rose to the challenge.

‘Seven weeks into lockdown and the scripts have an added poignancy and meaning. The response from everyone at Emmerdale to filming these episodes has been fantastic and we’re really grateful for their support.’

While John Whiston – Managing Director of Continuing Drama for ITV Studios and Head of ITV in the North – added: ‘It’s brilliant that Jane and the team at Emmerdale have risen to the challenge of getting these episodes shot using the new protocols for filming drama while observing the government’s social distancing guidelines.

Directed by Ian Bevitt, the six new episodes focus on Cain and Aaron (Jeff Hordley and Danny Miller), Chas and Paddy (Lucy Pargeter and Dominic Brunt), Sam and Lydia (James Hooton and Karen Blick), Marlon, Al and Ellis (Mark Charnock, Michael Wildman and Aaron Anthony), Mandy and Vinny (Lisa Riley and Bradley Johnson), and Jimmy and Nicola (Nick Miles and Nicola Wheeler).

ITV teased the episodes will see ‘resentments and past feuds resurface, old wounds further exposed, relationships scrutinised, with doubts and insecurities laid bare’, with a hint of romance.