Breaking News
BBC to Launch New Soap Opera to Rival ‘Coronation Street’
It’s something every soap fans loves to hear that a new soap will be developed and debut. It’s something here in America we just never hear about happening behind the scenes anymore … that a new daytime drama will launch.
However, now comes word that the BBC is set to put in production and launch a new soap opera focusing on the north of England and less-London-centric, but other reports share it may be more of a weekly series, than a daily one.
According to The Telegraph, the plan is for BBC to produce a show to rival the long-running Coronation Street from ITV.
They share that,”The BBC will relocate 400 jobs, including 200 in the News department, to locations including Cardiff, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds. A further 600 new roles will be created. Viewers will see “a noticeable shift in portrayal of different parts of the UK in key genres such as drama, comedy and factual” including a soap “from the North of England”‘.
The moves come as part of a new six-year plan and are part of a project entitled “Across the UK”, and is partly a response to criticism that the BBC is too London-centric and fails to represent the social and political viewpoints of all license fee payers.
Tim Davie, the director-general of BBC expressed: “Now, as we look to the future, we must play our part in supporting social and economic recovery; rebuilding the creative sector and telling the stories that need to be heard from all corners of the UK.”
So, what do you think of a new soap in development in the UK that will be targeted to viewers from the north of England? Do you think we can ever launch a new soap opera that lasts for years here in the United States? Comment below.
Corrie is way too dark like our American serials
I could sign up for this! I really could! Beginning from scratch in 2021 is interesting, however, the only place I could imagine this happening is the UK, so I am here for it. I know American television could not accomplish this, whether in daytime or even primetime on a potentially five-episodes-per-week basis. Let’s hope it is available to American viewers via Hulu, because I don’t want to miss this one!!! I’ve also begun watching Coronation Street on Hulu, and, while it is not Hollyoaks, I am enjoying it thus far. We need more British soaps on American streaming!
I would also love to see Australian soaps come to America, as well, because even they look quite interesting. I’m also wondering: in all these years, I do wonder why Canada has never produced its own soap opera. I would think the audience would be there!
Scott, You should also try and catch the New Zealand programme, SHORTLAND STREET. It is wonderful! X
I have heard about Shortland Street, and I will have to see where I might be able to check it out! Thank you, Eden!
So what does this mean for EastEnders?
BBC can’t produce two soaps at once?
Kate Oates who went from Emmerdale to Coronation Street to the BBC to rescue Eastenders which was really failing. A bus crash through the market stalls, Denise eating out of trash cans. John Yorke came back and helped her fix it quickly now she’s heading up all programming at the BBC including Holby City(the deadliest hospital on earth I call it); and Casualty. I’m not surprised they’re letting her create another soap.
It’s interesting an ODD, that BBC has a new soap in the works.
Post-Covid, it’s flagship EastEnders has become unwatchable. Makes one wonder that it’s not due to Covid production, but a rather blatent attempt to to kill and replace?..to appease the politically correct, yet ignorant masses? Hmmm.
I unsubscribed from Britbox a month ago, I joined just to watch EastEnders, but post Covid it just became a mess?
Things are not as they seem.
I’m too late getting into Coronation Street, but my experience in watching Brit tv over the years is that they turn out really good shows with good actors. So if it’s shown here across the pond I will give it a try, especially if it takes up the unwatchable space in the afternoon the networks are giving us now with talk shows.
Yes. I cannot wait to watch!
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Breaking News
‘Neighbours’ EP Jason Herbison on Series Daytime Emmy Nomination: “It’s a Huge Honour to be Nominated Alongside Such Iconic US Daytime Dramas”
When the 51st annual Daytime Emmy nominations were revealed last Friday, the iconic Australian soap opera, Neighbours, made the grade as one of the nominees for this year’s Outstanding Daytime Drama Series going up against U.S. titans such as General Hospital, The Young and the Restless et al.
That is because the revival of Neighbours, which is now seen in the United States streaming on Amazon Freevee, is now eligible under the rules from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
Not only did Neighbours receive its first Daytime Emmy nomination for Drama Series, but also for one of its legendary stars, Guy Pearce, who returned for a stint in the revival as Mike Young. Pearce is nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.
Photo: Freemantle
Throughout its run, Neighbours has received several nominations and wins in Australian and the UK, with this being its first nomination in the U.S.
Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison shared on this momentous moment for the series: ‘Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake! It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas. This news is an exciting moment for our hard working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show on Amazon Freevee.”
Photo: Freemantle
For those who need a bit of a refresher on the revival of Neighbours. The series streams exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. New episodes air daily Monday-Thursday on Amazon. The new series launched on 18 September, 2023, and picks up two years after the finale left off. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.
Photo: Freemantle/AmazonFreevee
The series is known as the longest running local drama of all time in Australia and has launched the careers of so many celebrities including: Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, the aforementioned Guy Pearce, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth, to name but a few.
Long running series star Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodbridge shared their many thanks on Neighbours Daytime Emmy nominations in a video message below.
So, what do you think of ‘Neighbours’ being nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Could they be the spoiler in the category? Weigh-in below.
Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne would like to share a special message regarding our incredible #Neighbours Daytime Emmy Award nominations 💛 @DaytimeEmmys pic.twitter.com/wWWo5PxmfD
— Neighbours (@neighbours) April 23, 2024
Breaking News
Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Marlene King Land ‘Calabasas’, a Soap in the Vein of the ‘O.C’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’, at Netflix
There has been lot of soapy projects coming to life and in the works of late, and now comes word that Kim Kardashian is executive producing a new series in development for Netflix called Calabasas.
After a bidding war last week, it looks like Netflix cemented the development deal from Kim, and her producing partners American Horror Story co-star Emma Roberts (pictured below) and Pretty Little Liars creators Marlene King and Alexandra Milchan.
The concept of Calabasas is based on the book If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner. King set to write the adaptation and will serve as the series showrunner.
Photo: JPI
According to Deadline, Calabasas is said to be in the vein of primetime young teen and young adult soaps the O.C. and Beverly Hills 90210. The story follows “Via, a 16-year-old sheltered Midwestern Catholic school girl whose world is turned upside down when her family moves and she’s forced to transfer to the fast world of Calabasas High where nothing is as it appears and where everyone is trying to be someone else. It’s a place where dreams come true … but not without complications and sometimes unforeseen consequences.”
Photo: Hulu
As fans of the Kardashians know, Kim and her family made the town of Calabasas a household and worldwide name. Kim being attached to this project helped make its sale. This marks her fourth project to sell since the writers and actors strikes concluded at the end of last summer.
So, would you be interested to see a teen soap called ‘Calabasas’ on Netflix from Kim and company? Comment below.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
‘Tracker’s’ Justin Hartley on His ‘Passions’ Soap Start, “They’d Have Me With No Shirt Walking Around a Hospital for Three Weeks. It Was Ridiculous, but I Loved It.”
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
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General HospitalApril 21, 2024‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
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NewsApril 20, 2024The Young and the Restless Preview: Ashley’s New Alter Emerges
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Days Of Our LivesApril 19, 2024Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
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General HospitalApril 22, 2024Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
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Days Of Our LivesApril 17, 2024DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
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Breaking NewsApril 17, 202451st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced