When are EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale on? Here's how Coronavirus has affected filming and scheduling of your favourite soaps

EastEnders logo

We've rounded up when your favourite soaps are on TV so you won't miss a thing...

With so many scheduling changes going on thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, it is hard to remember when EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale are on.

With coronavirus causing TV studios to shut down around the world as governments recommend people honour the new social distancing rules, there is understandably a knock-on effect to what is airing on TV each day.

Thankfully soaps are finally able to get back to filming with strict safety measures in place, but sadly fans will be feeling the knock-on effect of the filming breaks for some time yet.

Here is a round up of what is happening with your favourite soap, when it is on, and how the scheduling will look going forward...

EastEnders

Linda wants to stop working in the bar in EastEnders

EastEnders filming will resume this month (Picture: BBC)

Production: Filming is set to resume this month

When is it on? EastEnders is currently airing a reduced schedule of two episodes a week. Watch on Mondays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 7:30pm on BBC One. 

Writing in the Telegraph, BBC's Director of Content Charlotte Moore said, "We've been looking very carefully at how we can safely put some of our shows back into production, and I'm pleased to announce that we plan to begin filming again on both EastEnders and Top Gear by the end of June."

She added, "Cast members will do their own hair and make-up. Social distancing measures will be in place."

Sadly the break in filming means EastEnders will take an unavoidable absence from our screens, with June 15th and 16th being the last episodes we will see for a while.

From Monday June 22, BBC One will air a new EastEnders: Secrets from the Square series, hosted by Stacey Dooley and featuring a look behind the scenes and chats with members of the cast.

Meanwhile, classic episodes will air on Tuesday nights, taking fans back down memory lane as we relive some of the best moments on Albert Square.

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Coronation Street

Evelyn tears a strip off Tyrone

Coronation Street filming has begun again (Picture: ITV)

Production: Filming will start again on 9th June

When is it on? Coronation Street now airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm.

The usual six episodes of Coronation Street has now been reduced down to just three in a bid to keep the soap on screen for as long as possible during the filming break.

Speaking of the return to filming, producer Iain MacLeod said:" The whole team at Coronation Street has pulled together to generate an ingenious, intricate set of protocols, to allow filming to restart as safely as humanly possible.

"We are really pleased to able to resume making the nation’s favourite soap at a time when people need the reassurance of their regular Corrie fix more than ever. Safety remains our number one priority and we are under no illusions about the challenges still facing us and the nation as a whole.

"However, I can assure viewers that Corrie’s ever-present humour and brilliant storytelling will be there in abundance in the episodes due to begin filming next week and beyond."

Emmerdale

Paddy takes Marlon to hospital leaving Eve in the car in Emmerdale

Emmerdale will now air a reduced schedule (Picture: ITV)

Production: Emmerdale cast and crew have returned to filming

When is it on? Emmerdale currently airs on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm.

As well as the cast and crew already being back on set, Emmerdale announced recently that in order to stay on air, the show will alter its transmission pattern to two episodes a week in order to stay on air.

The episodes scheduled from the 8th June will be those filmed featuring characters in lockdown.

They involve much loved characters - Sam and Lydia, Cain and Aaron, Mandy and Vinny, Marlon, Al and Ellis, Nicola and Jimmy and Chas and Paddy - experiencing the trials and tribulations of lockdown.

The two episodes will air on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm on ITV for three weeks, before Emmerdale will then resume a three episode each week pattern.

Hollyoaks

Mercedes McQueen in Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks has also followed government guidance and stopped filming (Picture: Channel 4)

Production: Production has resumed and cast will be back filming again in July.

When is it on? Hollyoaks is currently on Channel 4 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 6.30pm. Hollyoaks Favourites will air classic episodes of the soap Wednesday - Friday on E4.

Channel 4 has announced that Hollyoaks will start filming again next month after a three month break thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "Hollyoaks will be resuming production this week in Liverpool ahead of a return to recording on set in July.

"The Channel 4 drama, which is shot differently to other soaps with single-camera, will increase in episodes from its current two nights a week to four nights a week from September, the current plan being to return to five episodes in 2021.

"To safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all involved in the production of Hollyoaks, new work protocols will be in place.

"All cast and crew will attend a safety induction to familiarise themselves with the revised way of working prior to production re-starting."

But until we get our full schedule of brand new episodes each weekday evening, there is always Hollyoaks Favourites to fill the void.

A Hollyoaks spokesperson revealed back in March: "To make sure we stay on air every week night, fans can look forward to extra special episodes every Thursday and Friday on E4, as we begin a brand new series of 'Hollyoaks Favourites'.

"Introduced by Kieron Richardson and Jorgie Porter, this series will give viewers a chance to revisit some of our biggest episodes, from weddings, bust-ups, heartbreaks and some of our biggest and best stunts."

Neighbours

Neighbours, 10pm

Neighbours studios are open for filming (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

Production: Filming has restarted with social distancing measures in place.

When is it on? Neighbours has returned to normal scheduling, and now airs Monday to Friday at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.

After a reduced scheduling plan was put in place for a few months, Neighbours has returned to being shown five days a week.

Neighbours has gone down in history as being the first soap to return to filming after the coronavirus pandemic lead to TV studios being temporarily closed down, and they are now filming with strict social distancing measures in place.

The cast has been divided into two, filming in different studios, and the crew are now stepping in as extras on the daytime soap.

Home and Away 

Home and Away, Alf Stewart, Martha Stewart

Home and Away is back to being shown five times a week (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

Production: Filming has begun again with social distancing measures in place.

When is it on? Home and Away has returned to normal scheduling and now airs Monday to Friday at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5.

Thankfully for Home and Away fans the daytime soap has returned to normal scheduling after episodes were previously reduced to just two, and then three, times a week - and good news is that filming is due to start again before the end of the month.

A Channel 7 spokesperson told us: "Home and Away's return to filming at Seven’s studios follows a seven-week break that was implemented as a precautionary response to COVID-19 but also included Easter holidays.

"A range of measures will be in place to minimise risk for cast and crew, to be overseen by dedicated safety officers. The measures include temperature checks on arrival, increased hygiene practices and rigorous cleaning schedules.

"Scripts will also be reworked to reduce close contact, in constant consultation with the cast and crew to ensure the health and safety of all."

Holby City 

Holby City logo

Holby City is back in June (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC)

Production: Filming for Holby is due to resume shortly

When is it on? Holby City is back to airing on Tuesdays at 8pm on BBC One.

Holby City fans have been waiting patiently for their favourite medical drama to return to their screens... but the wait is over and the show is back for the first time since April 14th.

Fans of the medical drama will know that Holby City has been off air thanks to a halt in filming after studios were shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.