CORONATION STREET STARS TAKE A STAND! LETTER SENT TO BBC BOSS AS BACKLASH OVER THE ARCHERS PLANS GROWS!
Dozens of acclaimed actors from British television, soap operas and Hollywood have signed an open letter urging the BBC’s new director general, Matt Brittin, to reconsider plans that could leave the long-running radio drama The Archers without a permanent home in the Midlands. The BBC had previously planned to build a new audio drama studio at its regional headquarters in Birmingham’s Digbeth district, at the Tea Factory. However, the broadcaster has since reversed that commitment, saying it intends to record the 75-year-old programme in an existing studio while acknowledging that it cannot guarantee production will remain in the West Midlands. The open letter, published by the performers’ union Equity, calls on the BBC to reverse its decision and argues that investing in a dedicated studio would make financial and cultural sense. “A Shocking About-Turn” From the BBC In their letter, the cast, scriptwriters, freelance directors and sound team behind The Archers expressed deep concern about the BBC’s decision to withdraw its commitment to include an audio drama studio at the Tea Factory. The move could leave the programme without a home when the lease on its current studio at the Mailbox expires. The signatories described the decision as a “shocking about-turn”, arguing that it undermines previous promises to invest in the Midlands. They also highlighted what they see as a wider imbalance in regional funding, claiming that the Midlands contributes more to the television licence fee than any other region while receiving the smallest relative share of spending. Why The Archers Belongs in the Midlands The letter stressed that the programme’s connection to the region is central to its identity. “ The Archers leaving the Midlands is akin to Corrie leaving the north-west, or EastEnders the south-east,” the letter stated, adding that the series was “born of the very fabric…
Dozens of acclaimed actors from British television, soap operas and Hollywood have signed an open letter urging the BBC’s new director general, Matt Brittin, to reconsider plans that could leave the long-running radio drama The Archers without a permanent home in the Midlands.
The BBC had previously planned to build a new audio drama studio at its regional headquarters in Birmingham’s Digbeth district, at the Tea Factory. However, the broadcaster has since reversed that commitment, saying it intends to record the 75-year-old programme in an existing studio while acknowledging that it cannot guarantee production will remain in the West Midlands.
The open letter, published by the performers’ union Equity, calls on the BBC to reverse its decision and argues that investing in a dedicated studio would make financial and cultural sense.
“A Shocking About-Turn” From the BBC
In their letter, the cast, scriptwriters, freelance directors and sound team behind The Archers expressed deep concern about the BBC’s decision to withdraw its commitment to include an audio drama studio at the Tea Factory.
The move could leave the programme without a home when the lease on its current studio at the Mailbox expires.
The signatories described the decision as a “shocking about-turn”, arguing that it undermines previous promises to invest in the Midlands. They also highlighted what they see as a wider imbalance in regional funding, claiming that the Midlands contributes more to the television licence fee than any other region while receiving the smallest relative share of spending.
Why The Archers Belongs in the Midlands
The letter stressed that the programme’s connection to the region is central to its identity.
“ The Archers leaving the Midlands is akin to Corrie leaving the north-west, or EastEnders the south-east,” the letter stated, adding that the series was “born of the very fabric of the place” and deserves to remain at home.
The signatories warned that moving production elsewhere and separating the production team from the cast could damage the quality of the programme and disrupt the working relationships that have helped sustain it for decades.
They also argued that alternative arrangements — whether relocating existing staff or training an entirely new team — could prove more expensive in the long run than investing in a purpose-built studio.
“This letter is not a group of spoiled creatives averse to change or demanding the shiniest new things,” they explained. Instead, they said the campaign was about standing in solidarity with colleagues and the region, while protecting a much-loved programme for future generations of listeners and artists.
Judi Dench, Felicity Jones and Soap Stars Add Their Names
The open letter has attracted support from a remarkable range of performers across television, theatre and film.
Among the signatories are Dame Judi Dench, Mark Bonnar from Ludwig , Gareth Pierce, Lorna Laidlaw and James Cartwright from Coronation Street , and Kellie Bright and Bharti Patel from EastEnders .
The list also includes Felicity Jones, known for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story ; Lucy Davis from The Office ; Adjoa Andoh from Bridgerton ; and Lisa Bowerman from Casualty .
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Their involvement highlights the strength of feeling surrounding the future of The Archers , a programme whose long history and regional roots have made it an enduring part of British broadcasting.
For its supporters, the issue goes beyond the location of a recording studio. They believe keeping the production in the Midlands is essential to preserving the programme’s identity, protecting its creative team and maintaining a cultural connection with the region that has shaped it for 75 years.