Emmerdale resumes filming with special lockdown episodes

\'Emmerdale\' has resumed filming with six new episodes featuring characters in lockdown.

The ITV soap confirmed its production team have "commenced a phased return" by working on the new stories set during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Filming was underway on Wednesday (20.05.20) at the show\'s Leeds studios with a reduced crew to ensure all social distancing and health and safety measures are being strictly followed by the team.

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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.

It\'s has also been confirmed that the characters will join in the weekly \'Clap For Carers\' to show their support for the NHS and frontline workers.

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The episodes will be directed by Ian Bevitt and recorded over a two-week period.

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.

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"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."

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.

"Also, it will be great to see what the likes of Chas and Paddy and Jimmy and Nicola have got up to while they\'ve been going through lockdown the same as the rest of us!"