Hollyoaks filming cancelled for the day after news over show's future
Hollyoaks has halted production for the day (February 29) following the sad news that 135 jobs at the soap could be lost.
The long-running show is facing a major change to its production model following Channel 4's decision to reduce the weekly episodes from five to three.
Channel 4 has renewed Hollyoaks on a multi-year deal which secures the programme's future. However, the decision to shift to three 20-minute episodes per week from September 2024 means that the show will have a reduced number of cast and crew later this year.
Production company Lime Pictures announced the news to all staff on Thursday (February 29), confirming that up to 135 jobs are likely to be lost. A consultation period will now follow as the team await more details.
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As bosses will now be taking questions from cast and crew, Digital Spy understands that regular production has been stood down for the rest of the day.
Beyond this, filming will continue as normal on Hollyoaks ahead of the transition from five weekly episodes to three.
Acting executive producer Hannah Cheers has been appointed to the top job on a permanent basis, overseeing the show as it heads towards its 30th anniversary next year.
Hollyoaks remains one of the top shows on Channel 4 Streaming every day and the recent hour-long car crash episode was the soap's most-streamed episode ever, excluding Christmas specials.
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Lime Pictures' managing directors Kate Little and Clare Poyser said today: "Given the success of the new streaming-first model, we are delighted that Hollyoaks remains at the forefront of Channel 4's digital first strategy, bringing authentic, unexpected and untold stories that inspire younger audiences in a way that they want to consume them.
"We are absolutely thrilled that Hannah Cheers will lead the show into its next exciting chapter.
"Evidently there are implications that will mean we have to reshape Hollyoaks' production model and amidst the buoying news for the future of the show and its audience, we must also acknowledge that a reduction in cast and crew, will be very difficult and we will support everyone in that process."
Hollyoaks streams first online via Channel 4 each weekday at 7.30pm. Episodes then air on E4 the following day, before getting their YouTube premiere a week after that.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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