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The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
River City campaign claims Scots will lose 15 hours of drama
The union has also warned there is 'no guarantee' that the three new shows - legal drama Counsels, comic thriller Grams and gang warfare series The Young Team - will continue after their initial runs for six episodes each. Read more: It has highlighted how 33 hours of River City have been made across three blocks of production on the show in the space of 12 months in recent years. BBC Scotland has said it will be 'moving' the £9 million it currently spends on River City into the three new commissions as part of plans to spend £95 million on Scottish drama over the next three years. BBC Scotland has announced plans to bring River City to an end in the autumn of 2026. (Image: BBC) Counsels, Grams and The Young Team were announced after the BBC had already confirmed a number of new made-in-Scotland shows, including the crime family drama Mint, Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd's new series Half Man, which he will star in opposite Jamie Bell, and psychological thriller, which will see Outlander and Karen Pirie star Lauren Lyle in the lead role. Equity has hit back at the BBC after being accused of spreading 'mistruths' over the potential impact of the loss of River City. The actors' union had claimed that the long-running soap had attracted more than half a million viewers on average for each episode and is outperforming other drama series. BBC Scotland insisted the actual audience figure for River City was just 200,000, and pointed out this is well below the numbers who watched other shows like Shetland, Vigil and Granite Harbour last year. They have also criticised Equity for suggesting that cast and crew would be imported from England to make the new shows, and insisted they would all involve Scottish writers reflecting Scottish culture and voices. However Equity Scotland official Marlene Curran said BBC Scotland's response to the campaign had merely highlighted a 'refusal to engage with the real issues at play.' She added: 'Equity's decision to protect jobs, training opportunities and careers in the entertainment industry does not hinge on viewing figures alone. As we have said from the start, the cancellation of River City will have a disproportionately negative impact on Scottish performers. 'It provides pathways and training opportunities, as well as longer term work, for those who would not be able to enter or sustain a career in an otherwise precarious, London-centric, and often exclusionary industry. 'What's more, the hours of programming proposed for the new drama series that are to 'replace' River City pale in comparison. 'On our calculation, a season of River City comprises 33 hours in total (66 episodes x 30 minutes). In contrast, the hours slated for the three proposed new series combined is 18 (6 episodes x 1 hour x 3 series). 'People in Scotland who pay the BBC license fee are therefore losing at least 15 hours of drama – with no guarantee as to what comes after these series end.' BBC Scotland has criticised Equity for making 'damaging' claims about the new drama series it had announced and insisted it was 'fully committed' to ensuring that Scottish talent would be hired to work on them. However Equity has highlighted how two of the three companies making the new dramas are based in London. Ms Curran said: 'We have had no guarantee from BBC Scotland that they will provide a similar number of training opportunities or jobs as the current level offered by River City. 'As part of its public broadcasting duties, as outlined in the Royal Charter, the BBC has a duty to 'to reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the United Kingdom's nations and regions.' 'We fail to see how the closure of River City lives up to this duty.' A spokesperson for BBC Scotland said: "As we have always made clear, the decision to end River City is a creative one driven by changing audience habits and declining viewing figures, which have dropped to an average of 200,000 per episode, considerably lower than other BBC dramas. "Audience patterns have shifted away from long-running serials to short-run dramas so that is where we will be moving our drama investment. 'We are clear that we will be making fewer hours of drama, despite spending more on it. "However, this is in line with audience expectations - making shorter-run, higher-impact content which attracts larger audiences than long-running formats like River City. "Due to the complex production requirements of these dramas, the number of weeks cast and crew are employed are often similar – and sometimes greater - as the longer-running formats. 'The BBC in Scotland is open for business and remains committed to reflecting Scottish voices in drama. This is about value for money for the audience. We are not cutting our drama spend in Scotland – in fact, we will increase it to around £95m over the next three years. 'As previously stated, River City training opportunities will remain active for another year until we cease production in April 2026. "We are actively working with BBC colleagues, the independent companies making our newly announced dramas and others in the industry on future training opportunities.' BBC Scotland said it was "standard practice" for dramas to be commissioned on a series-by-series basis. Its spokeswoman added: "The ambition is always to have a returning brand should the audience demand it. "All companies producing our three new dramas – Counsels, Grams, The Young Team - have Scottish bases and Scottish based senior editorial figures. All shows have Scottish senior creatives. "Many Scottish companies have HQs elsewhere including BBC Studios who make River City who have their HQ in London. All lead writers on our new dramas are Scottish. "It's too early to talk about production teams as they haven't crewed up, but these shows will meet the Ofcom criteria. "The Scottish drama scene and Scottish drama crews are hugely respected both locally and globally so the plan will be to draw on that local expertise for these new shows. "Scotland makes multiple drama series a year employing multiple Scottish freelancers and this will continue through the new and returning titles."
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
River City ends on dramatic series cliffhanger as show takes break from screens
BBC Scotland revealed details about the show being taken off air next year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RIVER City fans are guaranteed to be left hanging tonight - as long-standing character Lenny Murdoch teetered on the edge of scaffolding as the series came to a dramatic end. The current run of the show has seen the Shieldinch gangster, played by Frank Gallagher, battle with his mental health. 3 Lenny Murdoch and wife Lydia stand on scaffolding looking over Shieldinch Credit: BBC 3 The Murdoch clan are one of the most well-known families on Montego Street Credit: BBC And his family rushed to his side, urging him towards safety. But the credits rolled before viewers found out if it was too little, too late for Lenny. A telly source said: "The storyline has been kept hush-hush and viewers will have to wait until June to find out what happens next." The soap returns in the summer for a new series - but will end completely next year after the BBC decided to axe the long-running drama. The flagship Scots soap will air its final series in Autumn 2026 - 24 years after viewers were first introduced to the residents of Shieldinch. BBC Scotland announced last month that it will reallocate the budget for the series away from long-running shows towards shorter runs. There will be three new series – Counsels, Grams and The Young Team. While popular drama Granite Harbour will return for a third series, filming in Aberdeen and Glasgow in the coming months. Also making a return is Shetland for its tenth series and Vigil for a third series, while the previously announced eight-part drama, Mint, is shooting in Scotland. Total investment in BBC drama from Scotland over the next three years is expected to rise to over £95million. Iconic Scots BBC show AXED after more than 20 years The BBC will also work with industry partners on a new talent training plan in Scotland to build on River City's successful training academy. Hayley Valentine, Director, BBC Scotland said: 'River City has been a wonderful adventure and of course we'll all be sad to see it go. "The team have done a brilliant job and I know they have some big plans for the finale next year. "But as viewing patterns change and competition intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland showcasing storytelling across the UK. 3 River City ends on a dramatic series cliffhanger tonight as the show takes a break Credit: BBC "Our goal is to grow Scotland further on the global drama map – with a slate of world-class productions that set the standard not just here but internationally too.' Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland, added: 'We are incredibly proud of River City and it is with great sadness that we have come to this difficult decision. "I want to thank the River City team in front of and behind the cameras for their dedication to the show over the years, past and present. "For more than two decades, River City has brought drama to life on screen as well as offering industry training at grassroots level, and we know that fans of the programme will be really sad to see it go. "The show leaves a tremendous legacy behind and the new productions we've announced will offer further opportunities. 'However, the media landscape is changing at pace and, as audience viewing habits change, it's vital we respond to this. "Our three new dramas, alongside the returning drama favourites, reflect the increasing shift in audience demand for series rooted in Scotland which play to audiences across the UK…and beyond. "We're delighted to be working with such great production teams and remain steadfast in our commitment to invest in Scotland's creative industry.' Commenting on news that River City is being cancelled, Scottish Labour Culture spokesperson Neil Bibby said: 'River City is an iconic and popular show. It is deeply disappointing news for the actors, production crew and many viewers that BBC Scotland is planning to axe the show after over 20 years of success. 'The public service broadcaster must be fully transparent and explain the rationale for this decision. It is very concerning that an apparent lack of planning in relation to studio space may have contributed to this detrimental decision. 'River City has provided a vital platform for many Scottish actors and a pipeline of talent to the wider television and film industry. 'Everything that can be done should be done to save the show and ensure Scotland has a soap opera drama. 'Even if this decision goes ahead it is essential that the £9 million budget for the show is ringfenced for the production of Scottish drama to protect the jobs of actors and production crew and provide entertainment for Scottish viewers.'
The Herald Scotland
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Irvine Welsh's fears for Scottish culture if River City ends
Welsh, whose wife Emma Currie has starred in River City, is one of the most high-profile Scottish cultural figures to back the campaign to save Scotland's only soap opera. The writer, whose work has been adapted for film and TV debut novel Trainspotting was released in 1993, said he had personally visited the set of River City and had been 'very impressed' by the scale of the production. Read more: The BBC has defended its decision to bring production on River City, which first aired in 2002, to a halt next year, claiming the move has allowed it to commission three brand new drama series. Welsh has found huge success in recent years with Crime, the TV adaptation of his books about the troubled Edinburgh detective Ray Lennox, who is played by Dougray Scott on screen. The three new shows announced by BBC Scotland, which are all set in and around Glasgow, include legal drama Counsels, created by Bryan Elsley and Gillian McCormack, James Price's darkly comic gangland thriller Grams and Graeme Armstrong's adaptation of his debut novel The Young Team, which was inspired by his own experiences of teenage gang culture. The cast and crew of River City secured cross-party backing from MSPs for the campaign to save Scotland's only soap opera. However Welsh insisted one-off drama series would not be a substitute for the opportunities offered to emerging talents by an ongoing production like River City. Speaking at the Paisley Book Festival, he suggested authentic Scottish storytelling was vital to ensure Scottish culture and identity was kept alive. BBC Scotland has faced mounting opposition from actors, union leaders and politicians since March, when it announced plans to bring River City to an end with a final series in the autumn of 2026. A petition demanding a rethink has since attracted nearly 12,000 backers, while a 'Save River City' campaign has received cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament. BBC Scotland has insisted that growing audience demand for short-run drama series were behind its decision to end River City and has suggested it will increasing spending on drama to £95 million over the next three years. Welsh said: 'The important thing about River City is that it's on the go all the time. 'It gives people their first credit, whether they are actors, writers or directors. It is a big training ground. 'We really need these kind of institutions. We won't train voices in drama unless there is something that is there and ongoing. You don't get that if there is only a show here and a show there. 'I've been on the set of River City. It's very impressive when you see all the technicians and crew that are involved in it. It's a very good thing to have basically. I can't see any good reason not to have River City. There are a lot of good reasons to keep it.' Welsh, a long-time supporter of Scottish independence, told his sold-out festival audience in Paisley that a unique culture of Scottish storytelling had been developed even though Scotland was not a 'proper grown-up or independent country.' He added: 'We can't really express ourselves politically. We do it through our stories. We keep our culture alive through storytelling and fiction. 'It is really important to have Scottish writers and Scottish storytelling. We have to keep telling stories about ourselves. If we don't have that in Scotland, we don't really have an identity.' Meanwhile Welsh admitted he had suffered frustration at the hands of the screen industry when his 2007 film Wedding Belles, which starred Michelle Gomez, Shirley Henderson and Shauna Macdonald, did not get a proper cinema release. He said: 'It was shot as a feature film. There was then a dispute between Film Four and Channel Four about who owned it, and whether it going to get a theatrical release or go straight onto TV. 'I think it was screened once on TV after the watershed and about seven or eight years later it was dragged out and put on again. 'It's a major bugbear for me, because there are some great performances in it. It was a very hard-core working-class film that we put our heart and soul into, but it just never got the profile that I felt it deserved.'
The Herald Scotland
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
BBC Scotland closing River City is cultural vandalism
'Don't tell me,' says Lenny. 'They're inviting Nicola Sturgeon back as First Minister.' Lenny has not been well lately. 'That's no it,' says Scarlett. 'I heard one of them would be highlighting BBC Scotland's decision to end River City and close its Dumbarton studios, with the consequent loss of much-needed jobs and skills.' 'Like that's going to change anything,' says Lenny. 'Okay then, if not Nicola, what about Humza? He was always good for a laugh.' [A glass flies across the bar. Cue music and credits, cue oblivion next year when BBC Scotland finally pulls the plug.] I don't know how many BBC executives will tune into the Scottish Parliament on Thursday to watch Labour MSP Neil Bibby advance the case for keeping River City, but they ought to. Calling time on the soap is a grubby, short-sighted act of cultural vandalism that should not be allowed to stand. River City had been getting the fuzzy end of the lollipop for some time before the axe landed. The beginning of the end was showing blocks of episodes with long breaks between. Even the most avid fans could not keep up with when the soap would appear. Unsurprisingly, viewer numbers fell. So when the closure announcement came, the cry that went up was not as loud as it would have been a year or two earlier. Poor old River City, went the response. Well, it was on the way out anyway, and just look at the shiny new dramas that will replace it. Read more No harm to the creators of Counsels, Grams and The Young Team, the three 'high-impact drama series' the BBC will be funding instead of River City, together with new runs of familiar series including Shetland and Vigil. Who could fail to applaud the ambition of Hayley Valentine, director of BBC Scotland, whose goal is to 'grow Scotland further on the global drama map – with a slate of world-class productions that set the standard not just here but internationally too'. Valentine, like everyone else in the industry, wants to find the next Adolescence, and why not? Brilliant writing, great acting, innovative directing, five-star reviews, invitations to Downing Street, an embarrassment of awards riches on the way, Adolescence is golden age of TV stuff. And let's not forget that it was shot in the UK with British writers, cast and production crew. Yet the money to make Adolescence came from the American company Netflix, and only those with a subscription could see it. Then again, in today's TV world there are no borders. Talent and quality will find a way regardless of where it comes from, right? If only it were that simple. Before there was Adolescence, there was Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Before Mr Bates there was Boys from the Black Stuff. And before that Cathy Come Home. Terrestrial TV was investing in 'high-impact drama series' before Netflix was a blinking cursor on a coder's screen. While it's great to have Netflix and other streaming services put their shoulders to the wheel, you have to wonder how long their interest will last. I can understand why some in the industry, watching their budgets shrink year by year, would like to see a tax on streamers, but that horse bolted from the studio a long time ago. The first thing the streamers would do is raise the subscription price and blame it on terrestrial broadcasters. You can hardly blame viewers for switching to streamers in their droves. Have you spent a Saturday night lately in the company of BBC1? Occasionally, I'll have a look at the schedule, shudder, and switch over to on demand, pitying those who have no choice. Here's the thing, though. Now, and for a limited time only, British TV has a choice. It can stick to what it is doing, which, the odd big-name drama aside, is failing to cut it with viewers, or it can start to think more commercially, like a streamer would. Hayley Valentine, director of BBC Scotland, wants to 'grow Scotland further on the global drama map' (Image: free) Let's imagine one of the streamers sent an executive over, Local Hero-style, to kick the tyres of British television drama. When they looked at River City they would see not a drain on resources but a talent factory and training academy for actors, writers, camera operators, directors, make-up artists - you name it. The money is already spent, the bricks and mortar are there, the rest, if managed correctly, is gravy. Once they've looked over the books on that, our executive might care to examine the current deal Scotland gets from public service broadcasters. Despite being legally obliged to spend money outside London, some broadcasters - hello BBC - are being unusually creative in how they define Scottishness. Take one of the corporation's biggest hits of recent years, The Traitors. Filmed in Scotland and claimed by the BBC as a Scottish production, yet 71% of the roles on the show are filled by people living in London (figures from the campaign group Speaking Up for Scotland's Screen Talent). The last task for our visiting streaming executive would be to note that Adolescence is an international hit, but the talent in front and behind the camera is homegrown and largely working class. River City has featured many a well-known BBC Scotland face, but it has also given breaks to actors who might otherwise not have made it onto the screen because their accent did not fit. As Adolescence creator Stephen Graham has argued, the industry needs more working-class voices and storylines. That's where the new material, the best ideas, the genuine talent, is coming from, and River City can help bring more of it to the screen. Besides all that, it's a decent enough watch and funny with it. Think again BBC Scotland, before it is too late. Alison Rowat is a writer and critic for The Herald
The Independent
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Scottish soap River City to finish in 2026 after more than 20 years
Long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City is to come to an end next year after more than two decades. The drama, set in the fictional setting of Shieldinch, will air its final series in autumn 2026 after starting in 2002. BBC Scotland said the decision to axe the show reflects a change in viewing patterns as audiences move away from long-running series and are drawn towards shows with shorter runs. However, the broadcaster said that it will boost major drama productions set across Scotland as part of moves to 'grow Scotland further on the global drama map'. It has announced three new series: Counsels, Grams and The Young Team; while Granite Harbour and Vigil will both return for a third series and Shetland for its 10th series. Hayley Valentine, director of BBC Scotland, said: 'River City has been a wonderful adventure and, of course, we'll all be sad to see it go. 'The team have done a brilliant job and I know they have some big plans for the finale next year. 'But, as viewing patterns change, and competition intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland showcasing storytelling across the UK. 'Our goal is to grow Scotland further on the global drama map – with a slate of world-class productions that set the standard not just here but internationally too.' River City, filmed at Dumbarton Studios near Glasgow, has featured the likes of Sam Heughan, who went on to start in Outlander; and Lorraine McIntosh from Deacon Blue; while Lorraine Kelly and singer Susan Boyle are among those who made cameo appearances. Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, urged BBC Scotland to rethink plans to axe the show, which is a BBC Studios Drama Production. Paul W Fleming, Equity general secretary, said: 'This short-sighted move from BBC Scotland would be a disaster for Scottish television. 'River City is a well-loved staple of TV schedules. It's a successful Scottish production which should be celebrated, not decimated. 'Axing River City would have a devastating effect on acting and production roles for Scottish talent. 'There is simply no equivalent to a regular soap for getting your foot in the door of this notoriously cutthroat industry, especially for the many aspiring actors from working class backgrounds.' Philippa Childs, head of broadcasting union Bectu, said it is 'hugely disappointing' to see creative jobs lost in Scotland. She said: 'Many of those who work on River City are freelancers, for whom this news will be a particular blow. She added: 'Bectu will fully engage with the BBC over these changes and we will be encouraging the BBC to consider how they can replace lost work with high quality jobs on any new commissions and deliver on the director general's commitment to bringing productions and work to the regions.' Scottish Labour culture spokesperson Neil Bibby said: 'River City has provided a vital platform for many Scottish actors and a pipeline of talent to the wider the television and film industry. 'Everything that can be done should be done to the save the show and ensure Scotland has a soap opera drama.' BBC Scotland said that total investment in BBC drama from Scotland over the next three years is expected to rise to more than £95 million cumulatively (2026-28). The BBC said it will also work with industry partners on a new talent training plan in Scotland. Of the new series, Grams is described as a 'darkly comic thriller' while Counsels is a legal drama following five young lawyers in Glasgow. The Young Team is adapted from Graeme Armstrong's book of the same name and looks at addiction and gang violence. Louise Thornton, head of commissioning at BBC Scotland, said: 'For more than two decades, River City has brought drama to life on screen as well as offering industry training at grassroots level, and we know that fans of the programme will be really sad to see it go. 'The show leaves a tremendous legacy behind and the new productions we've announced will offer further opportunities. 'However, the media landscape is changing at pace and, as audience viewing habits change, it's vital we respond to this. 'Our three new dramas, alongside the returning drama favourites, reflect the increasing shift in audience demand for series rooted in Scotland which play to audiences across the UK … and beyond. 'We're delighted to be working with such great production teams and remain steadfast in our commitment to invest in Scotland's creative industry.'
