Equity says ITV soap cuts announced today (Tuesday 4 February) add to the “difficult time in UK continuing dramas”. While ITV has told Equity that regular cast member numbers should not be cut as a direct result of this decision, Equity highlights the reduction in acting opportunities for supporting and guest artists and the continuing squeeze on acting roles for professionals in the UK regions.
ITV has announced a reduction of 52 episodes per year for Coronation Street and Emmerdale, two of the flagship soaps on the channel.
Natalie Barker, Equity TV Official, said: “The last 18 months has been a difficult time for UK continuing drama with the cancellation of Doctors and cuts to Hollyoaks. ITV’s announcement today of cuts to episode numbers on Coronation Street and Emmerdale is further cause for concern. ITV have assured us that the reduction from six to five episodes per week on each soap from 2026 will not directly impact the cast or result in changes to pay or contracts. Equity is in contact with the casts and engaging with ITV to ensure that any potential negative impacts of these changes are minimal.
“We do know that fewer episodes will mean fewer opportunities for work for our members engaged as guest and supporting artists on these productions. This is a significant loss for our members in the North East and North West regions and continues the ongoing trend of fewer opportunities for screen work, especially in the regions and for early career actors.
“This month sees the launch of Equity’s new committee for Deputies in Continuing Drama where our members across the soaps will be coming together for the first time. We will work collectively to defend continuing drama and campaign for commitments from the broadcasters to secure the long-term future of these programmes which are so crucial to the health of UK production.”
