Judi Dench joins calls by The Archers cast to keep show in Birmingham
Summary
The BBC plans to stop recording the radio drama The Archers in Birmingham after canceling a new studio project as part of its £500 million cost-cutting plan. Cast members, including Judi Dench, and staff have written to the BBC’s director general asking to keep the show’s production in the West Midlands because of its long history there.Key Facts
- The Archers is a BBC Radio 4 drama that has been recorded in Birmingham for 75 years.
- The BBC canceled plans to build a new £500 million radio drama studio at the Tea Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham.
- Production staff will move to the Tea Factory, but recording may take place in another studio, possibly outside the West Midlands.
- Over 100 current and former cast, crew, editors, and trade unions signed a letter urging the BBC to keep the show’s production in Birmingham.
- Judi Dench, who once guest-starred on The Archers, supported the call to keep the show in the region.
- The BBC says no final decision has been made and it aims to find a cost-effective recording solution that maintains high production standards.
- The letter compared moving The Archers away from the Midlands to other iconic shows leaving their home regions.
- The BBC acknowledges The Archers’ strong connection to the West Midlands and plans to keep the production team based there.
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