Actors from River City gathered at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday to discuss the preservation of their show.
The cast of River City demonstrated at Holyrood on Wednesday, advocating for the continuation of their beloved soap opera.
Actors from the show appeared at the Scottish Parliament with the aim of reversing the decision to end the drama, which has been on air for over two decades.
Stephen Purdon, who portrays Shellsuit Bob in the series, expressed, “We are here at the Scottish Parliament because we deeply care about the show and everyone involved in it. If the show closes, we’ll lose numerous training, career pathways, and opportunities that it provides.”
“In the past two and a half years alone, River City has trained 72 individuals. What will happen to these opportunities if the show is discontinued?” Purdon added.
“Most importantly, what about our loyal viewers who adore this show? We need to be here to urge BBC Scotland to reconsider their decision before it’s too late,” he concluded.
The Glasgow-based drama, filmed in Dumbarton, has been entertaining viewers since 2002.
However, BBC Scotland announced last month that it would be ending the nation’s only domestic soap in September 2016.
The actors participated in a parliamentary debate initiated by a Labour motion that sought to save the program.
Members from SNP, Labour, Tory, and Green parties collectively urged the BBC to retract its decision.
SNP’s Elena Whitham remarked, “Ending this show not only risks a cultural void but an economic one as well. We speak of elevating and decentralizing opportunities, yet we are cutting off platforms essential for nurturing regional talent. This decision also reeks of snobbery and classism, which we must openly challenge.”
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour Deputy Leader and representative of Dumbarton where the show is filmed, stated, “River City has significantly placed Dumbarton on the map for TV and film talent, generating numerous jobs and opportunities in various sectors from catering to directing. The announcement of its closure has deeply impacted my constituency—I implore the BBC to save River City and commit to its Dumbarton studio site to enable more Scottish productions.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson mentioned, “There’s a tremendous amount of passion and support for River City and the opportunities it brings to our creative sector. I have clearly communicated to the BBC that they must protect and even increase their investment in Scotland, ensuring a robust network for professionals contributing to productions like River City.”
“I expect the BBC to represent all Scottish communities fairly and continue advocating on behalf of License Fee payers to ensure the Scottish industry and its audiences are adequately represented,” he added.
When announcing the end of the soap, BBC Scotland management mentioned that “viewing habits have evolved” and expressed their plan to invest in “a new generation of high-impact drama series throughout Scotland.”
This strategic shift reflects the changing audience preferences favoring shorter series over long-standing ones, leading to enhanced investments in major drama productions across Scotland.
Following this new direction, the funds previously allocated to River City will now initiate three new series: Counsels, Grams, and The Young Team.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
