Women in the spotlight for Emmerdale
Emmerdale (STV, tonight, 7pm)
NORMALLY, the good folk of Emmerdale are too involved in their own dramas to pay much attention to what’s going on in the outside world.
However, word has filtered through to the village that today is International Women’s Day and the soap is marking the occasion with an episode that features only the female characters. And it’s not just the women in front of the camera who are being given a chance to shine.
Producer Kate Brooks says: “Our International Women’s Day episode is not only a celebration of women in the broadest sense of the word, but also a showcase for the female talent we have in the television industry.” Which means that the episode was also written, directed, produced and recorded by a female-led crew.
First Assistant director Val Lawson adds: “I was really excited to hear we would be producing an ‘all-female’ programme. I started working in television nearly 46 years ago and production jobs for females were extremely limited. Certain departments would not even entertain the idea of women. I felt very honoured to be working with so many talented ladies and appreciated being included on this episode.”
For the actresses, the episode has also meant a chance to share scenes with colleagues they don’t often get to work with.
Elizabeth Estensen, who plays Diane Sugden, explains: “In a TV programme such as Emmerdale with a large core cast, many of the characters never meet. Rhona and Diane’s paths, for example, have never really crossed.
“The episode that broadcasts on March 8 to celebrate International Women’s Day sees the two characters meet. For the first time I worked with Zoe Henry and what a pleasure that was, it remains my most enduring memory of the episode.”
They aren’t the only unlikely pairing featured in this edition. Lucy Pargeter says: “My character Chas bonds with Laurel over some news she has, they are not two characters who normally make time for each other so it was lovely working with Charlotte [Bellamy].”
But while this may be a special episode, it doesn’t mean it’s a stand-alone edition. Emma Atkins says: “Charity is on a mission in this episode and although I can’t give anything away her scenes will have a significant impact going forward.”
She adds: “I really enjoyed filming these scenes they were beautifully written and I was honoured to play a role in this episode. We work with a fabulous team day in day out on Emmerdale so it was interesting they pooled all the female crew and cast into one team.”
Other storylines featured in the episode include Moira (Natalie J
Robb) stumbling on an intruder and one of Emmerdale’s risings female stars, April
(Amelia Flanagan), dealing with her own insecurities.
But while the episode may be a celebration,
Natalie points out there is still a way to go: “I think it’s a great opportunity to show woman who have an interest in this industry and other industries what the opportunities and roles are.
“The next big subject we need to keep fighting for as women, is our right for equal pay across all industries!”