Actor is raring to go again
Plans to start filming
Blantyre actor Scott Fletcher hopes to be able to revive his River City character, Angus Lindsay, back on set this summer.
Following a break due to the coronavirus pandemic, plans are underway which will hopefully see Scotland’s award-winning drama resume filming in August.
New episodes are planned to air on the BBC Scotland channel and BBC One Scotland in late September, after filming paused in March this year.
Scott – who plays Shieldinch’s lovable rogue Angus, the best pal of wee Bob O’hara (played by Stephen Purdon) – told the Advertiser: “I’m really looking forward to getting back on set with my pals.
“I’m sure it will take a bit of getting used to a new way of shooting scenes with social distancing and different procedures in place but I’m looking at it as a new challenge. It will be a wee adventure.
“Hopefully it’ll all run smoothly and we’ll be back on screen very soon.”
Filming is expected to resume at BBC Scotland’s Dumbarton Studios, subject to government guidelines and ongoing discussions with BBC Scotland.
Due to social distancing measures – and the need to reduce the number of cast and crew filming scenes at any given time – the proposals will see the popular weekly soap initially return as two half-hour programmes, twice a week from September instead of its usual hour-long episode. This is a temporary plan until social distancing measures are relaxed.
Following industry-wide guidelines, the aim is to restart filming with two reduced crews and a maximum of four cast per unit working in “filming pods”.
Storylines for the new episodes are currently being written and will revisit the residents of Shieldinch including fan favourites Angus and wee Bob, Alex Murdoch (Jordan Young), Caitlin Mclean (Gayle Telfer Stevens), Lenny Murdoch (Frank Gallagher) and Scarlett O’hara (Sally Howitt).
Before lockdown, the last original River City episode aired on May 18.
BBC Studios series producer Martin Mccardie said: “We are busy preparing our new episodes of River City where the lives, loves and laughter from Shieldinch can soon be on our screens again. Our characters will adjust to their new reality but continue with the drama and the fun, we can’t wait!”