For the very first time ever, three of the biggest UK soap operas will come together for a special crossover episode. On November 1st, viewers will get the chance to see Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and EastEnders, make reference to one another. Casualty, Holby City, Hollyoaks and Doctors, are also set to be involved in a storyline focusing on climate change.
The shows will use video clips and social media when making references to the other hit shows, instead of all programmes filming in one space. Coronation Street characters will get to see a social media video featuring two of Emmerdale’s residents, and one character from Doctors. Regulars of the Woolpack will get to gather around for a discussion on UK hospital drama, Casulty, while customers in the Queen Vic will discuss a social media clip from Weatherfield.
Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield on This Morning, Soap opera icon, Sharon Marshall announced the exciting news.
“It’s the first time it’s ever been done. In November, we’re going to be having the world’s first soap crossover. Now for the first time, all five British soaps - and our continuing dramas - they’re all going to come together and tell the same story at the same time. That story is going to be climate change.”
Marshall revealed that secret filming had taken place over the past few months, with each soap filming a scene that will give nod to another.
She explained: “All of these people have been talking about it in secret for months and months to make this work and what they’re each going to do is film a scene, have a reference that is going to cover a different aspect of climate change and - this is the fun bit - a soap first.
“You’re going to see all the programmes do a nod to the other and characters will start popping up from one soap in another soap on screen. That has never been done before.”
The idea to do a special crossover episode is that of Emmerdale’s Executive Producer Jane Hudson, who wants all soaps to “come together and united in telling one story. We certainly haven’t seen characters pop up in other shows before. This is a real treat for our audience, whilst also allowing us to get across a very important message.”
BBC Studios’ Head of Continuing Drama, Kate Oates said she is “thrilled” that UK soaps and dramas are coming together “to help highlight the issue of climate change amongst our millions of viewers. We’re grateful to the teams that made this happen, and hugely look forward to seeing the talent from our own shows popping up in other iconic programmes.”
Hollyoaks boss Lucy Allan added how important climate change and environmental issues are to their youthful audience. She believes it has been “great to work together on an engaging way to, hopefully, inspire conversations about issues that are so important.”
