'EastEnders' drafts in real-life partners for kissing scenes
EastEnders bosses have drafted in some of the actors’ real-life partners as body doubles for safe kissing scenes during the coronavirus pandemic.
The goings on in Albert Square were put on hold in June because of the virus but new episodes are due to start in September.
As kissing scenes are a bit tricky to film according to social distancing guidelines, show bosses came up with the clever idea of using people’s actual partners for them to lock lips with.
Read more: EastEnders to use CGI in 'almost every shot' for social distancing filming
Executive producer Jon Sen told MailOnline that producers had to “devise methods where we could cheat the distance” to work with the two metre rule.
They had the idea to use supporting artists from the same household, who can be filmed closer together, adding to a sense of normalcy.
Sen went on: “We've also used real-life partners as well, when there are moments or intimacy or kissing, and we have to choose our moments carefully because takes much more time to film like this but for those really crucial moments when characters kiss we've invited real-life partners of actors onto the set to achieve those kind of moments.”
The soap has also said stars will sometimes simulate smooches through Perspex screens, which can then be digitally edited out before broadcast.
The day we’ve all been waiting for is nearly upon us - #EastEnders is coming back to our screens, 4 times a week, from Monday 7th September at 8:05pm. Before the duff duffs return, here’s a sneak peak behind the scenes to give you a little insight into our ‘new normal’.🎥 pic.twitter.com/BNDWUoUd9k
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) August 28, 2020
Read more: Casting of real-life couples will increase to work around social distancing rules in TV
The BBC soap was forced off air in June for the first time in 35 years, after filming was halted during lockdown.
Production has now resumed and EastEnders will be returning to BBC One on 7 September.
