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BBC to Launch New Soap Opera to Rival ‘Coronation Street’

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ITV

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.

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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!

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Jennifer Harmon, ‘One Life to Live’s’ Cathy Craig, and ‘How to Survive a Marriage’ Star, Dead at 82

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Sad news to report for the One Life to Live family. Actress Jennifer Harmon who was the last actress to play the emotionally troubled Cathy Craig has passed away. Harmon, who also starred on the defunct NBC soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage, died in New York on May 9 at the age of 82. Harmon’s family made the announcement.

Jennifer was the fifth actress to play One Life to Live’s Cathy, following Catherine Burns, Amy Levitt, Jane Alice Brandon and Dorrie Kavanaugh. During her two year tenure with the soap, from 1976 through 1978, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the 5th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1978. The award that year went to Another World’s Laurie Heineman (ex-Sharlene Frame).

In her soap career, not only did Harmon have major success as Cathy on One Life to Live, but she starred on NBC’s new soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage as Chris Kirby and stayed with the series through its entire run which lasted just over a year from 1974-1975.   

Photo: NBC

How to Survive a Marriage told the story of divorced couple as they battle for custody of their daughter, and as the mom enters the workforce. In the span of a year, Chris got divorced, remarried and battled alcoholism. Rosemary Prinz was the featured name in the cast.

On One Life to Live, Cathy was the nemesis of Victoria Lord (Erika Slezak). Cathy blamed the wealthy Viki for the accident that killed her child Megan Craig Riley (even though the baby has a congenital heart defect and her life expectancy was short).  So, she set out to make Viki’s life hell by kidnapping Viki and Joe’s child, Kevin.

Later,  Jennifer would return to One Life to Live in the 90s to play Viki’s attorney in a new role, went on to play Jean Weatherill on Guiding Light in 1991 and Lucretia Jones on Loving in 1995. Her primetime TV credits included: Barnaby JonesDallasThe White ShadowSt. ElsewhereHomicide: Life on the StreetOzRescue Me and The Good Wife.

Harmon was also known as one of the most accomplished stage actresses on Broadway having appeared over 21 times in different productions spanning nearly 50 years including in plays of the works of legendary playwrights: Noël Coward, Wendy Wasserstein, Lillian Hellman, Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee and Jon Robin Baitz. Throughout her theatre career she was was known as a reliable actress, and at times was an understudy for the likes of: Stockard Channing, Judi Dench, Jessica Lange, Blythe Danner and Jessica Lange.

Share your remembrances of Jennifer Harmon on One Life to Live, How to Survive a Marriage, and more, in the comment section below.

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‘EastEnders’ Wins Best Soap at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards

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Our friends from across the pond, BBC One’s EastEnders took home Best Soap honors at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards in London, England on Sunday, May 10.

Just last year, EastEnders celebrated 40 years on television and has seen a resurgence. In attendance were cast members: Michelle Collins, Jessie Wallace, Diane Parish, and Aaron Thiara, as well former executive producer Chris Clenshaw and his successor, current showrunner Ben Wadey.

EastEnders was nominated in the category along with their rivals, Casualty and Coronation Street. Accepting on stage was 20-year veteran of the series, Diane Parish, who paid tribute to all the hard working people in front of the camera and behind the scenes. “It’s not easy doing a soap, but we manage to make it work,” shared Parish.

Courtesy/BBCOne

A BIG RETURN AND MEDICAL CRISIS IN STORY AHEAD

Recently, it was confirmed that in honor of her two decades with the show, Parish’s character, Denise Fox, is set for a major storyline this year, when she is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer.

And there’s more! In the winner’s press room, Ben Wadey shared there is a major return in store teasing,“I would keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks, there might be some surprises on the horizon.”

On the official EastEnders Instagram account it also shared, “EastEnders has gone and won the Soap award at the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards! 🎉🥳🍾🙌What a huge honour, we truly couldn’t be prouder. Thank you BAFTA the whole cast and crew will be holding this one high when it makes it way home to Walford.”

Photo: EastEnders

BAFTA TV AWARD HISTORY IS MADE

Adolescence, the Netflix drama that took home Emmys and Golden Globes stateside, made BAFTA TV history during the ceremony winning four awards for the first time ever. Stephen Graham finally took home the coveted Leading Actor category in what was his 8th attempt to win a BAFTA in the fields of both TV and motion pictures.

The series is Netflix’s second most-watched English-language show of all time, and won BAFTA’s for Limited Drama and Supporting Actor and Actress for Owen Cooper and Christine Tremarco. 

For a complete list of all the winners, click here.

So, happy to hear EastEnders won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Soap? If you catch EastEnders, who do you think might be returning on the horizon as teased by the series current EP? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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‘The Price is Right’ Contestant Wins Largest Prize in a Single Pricing Game in the 54-Year history of the Daytime Game Show on CBS

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On the Friday, May 8 Mother’s Day episode of The Price is Right, a retired veteran won over $240,000 in cash and prizes making her takeaway the largest prize ever won in a single pricing game in the 54-year history of the daytime version of the CBS game show.

The contestant, “Vanesa from Virginia” bested the previous record of $210,000 in a single pricing game of Cliffhangers set over a decade ago in 2016. The moment occurred when Vanesa played “The Lion’s Share,” the new high,” the new high-stakes branded game that debuted this season through a partnership with BetMGM.

In the game, contestants have to guess the prices of grocery items to earn up to five balls. Each ball is then dropped into a wind tunnel, revealing a hidden prize amount. After each reveal, contestants face a tense decision to walk away with their current winnings or risk it all to continue.

Photo: CBS

Vanesa went for the gusto! She didn’t hesitate and pushed forward through every round, ultimately revealing the prizes for all five balls, winning $227,500 in cash and a luxury trip for two to Morocco valued at $12,650. Those impressive winning amounted to $240,150 as her daughter cheered her on from the audience.

According to BetMGM and TPIR producers, Fremantle, “The Lion’s Share” is the first custom-branded game in the show’s history, and the first new pricing game on the show since 2021. BetMGM and Fremantle sealed a multi-year deal last year that lends  The Price is Right and Family Feud intellectual property (IP) rights for slots, table games and non-traditional casino games.

The Price is Right is broadcast weekdays on CBS and streams on Paramount+* (11:00 AM-12:00 PM, ET/10:00-11:00 AM, PT). John Quinn is the executive producer. Drew Carey is the host.

So, what do you think of Vanesa from Virginia’s huge win on The Price is Right? Do you watch the show weekdays? Let us know via the comment section. But first, watch how it all happens below!

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