EastEnders‘ set designers have implemented a beer garden outside The Queen Vic, so that socially-distanced scenes can be shot externally.
The pub – which has always been an indoor set – has now got benches and parasols outside for its faux-patrons to enjoy their beverages at.
Bosses at the BBC soap have utilised Albert Square’s central patch of grass for this, with the beer garden positioned across the street from The Vic’s front entrance.
Get out of my pub! EastEnders’ set designers have implemented a beer garden outside The Queen Vic, so that socially-distanced scenes can be shot externally
In new aerial shots of fictional Walford, a banner can be seen hung outside the pub with ‘Beer Garden’ written across it.
This has been implemented as filming resumed for EastEnders after lockdown was lifted at the Borehamwood sound-stage.
The soap is undergoing a refurbishment, with a replica set being worked on next door, but the old set is still in use currently.
Social distancing is still being enforced, which is why the beer garden – with its spaced out arrangement of tables – has been worked into the story.
Take it outside! The pub – which has always been an indoor set – has now got benches and parasols outside for its faux-patrons to enjoy their beverages at
A place in the sun: Bosses at the BBC soap have utilised Albert Square’s central patch of grass for this, with the beer garden positioned across the street from The Vic’s front entrance
Over the road: In new aerial shots of fictional Walford, a banner can be seen hung outside the pub with ‘Beer Garden’ written across it
Stars including Danny Dyer, Jessie Wallace,James Bye and Luisa Bradshaw-White were spotted getting their temperatures checked in their cars as they continued their return to filming at the end of June.
Filming of the beloved TV soap opera resumed after a lengthy break but it is unclear when new episodes will air.
Those on set now have to follow new social distancing guidelines in accordance with government regulation so that they are able to return safely amid the crisis.
Fans are anticipating the show returning several weeks down the line, as the programme aired its final episode earlier this month after running out of episodes due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The hit BBC One soap is keeping loyal viewers in suspense as they ended the show with a dramatic Sharon Mitchell cliffhanger.
They’re back! On Monday the EastEnders cast and crew returned for their first day of filming since shooting the soap was put on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic (above with Luisa)
Production on EastEnders came to a halt in March, when the UK went into lockdown and most people were instructed to stay home, and work from home if possible.
The programme is set to return to the BBC with 20-minute episodes, four days a week.
According to Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning, 47, CGI is being used in almost every shot for new episodes.
The star spoke to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain after his first day back on set on Monday.
He said: ‘It’s going to take a bit of getting used to. We’re all socially distant so everyone is two metres apart. It’s quite extraordinary the way were shooting it, the way we’re filming it.’
‘They’ve been there for weeks working out the way to do it. We’ve seen some of the stuff they’ve shot, it’s very very clever. You’re not going to notice a difference as a viewer.
‘Almost every shot has got CGI in it.’
Until now, only two pre-filmed EastEnders episodes have aired a week to make them last as long as possible.
EastEnders executive producer Jon Sen said: ‘Resuming production is incredibly exciting and challenging in equal measure.
‘Since we postponed filming we’ve been working non-stop trialling techniques, filming methods and new ways of working so that we can return to screens four times a week – as EastEnders should be.
‘Filming will inevitably be a more complex process now so creating 20-minute episodes will enable us to ensure that when we return, EastEnders will still be the show the audience know and love.’
Until the new episodes air, the show is plugging the gap with classic EastEnders episodes and a spin-off show that will feature presenter Stacey Dooley.
Stacey, 33, is now hosting a new show called EastEnders: Secrets From The Square on Monday nights.
She is presenting the show from the soap’s famous restaurant Walford East and will be joined by two members from the cast.
![Social distancing: Elsewhere, Adam [Ian Beale] dressed to impress in a suit and tie as he filmed scenes outside Kathy's cafe with Milly Zero [Dotty Cotton]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/29/19/30193400-8471973-image-a-16_1593455577713.jpg)
Social distancing: Elsewhere, Adam [Ian Beale] dressed to impress in a suit and tie as he filmed scenes outside Kathy’s cafe with Milly Zero [Dotty Cotton]
Safety first! Members of the crew held out microphones on extended poles in order to pick up the sound from the actors, while remaining at a safe distance
The cast members, who will include Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts), Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Danny Dyer (Mick Carter), Diane Parish (Denise Fox), Tameka Empson (Kim Fox) and Kellie Bright (Linda Carter), will reflect on their time on the show and tease what’s to come when the show returns.
There will also be an occasional sneak peek behind the scenes in the show, which launched on June 22.
Coronation Street and Emmerdale have resumed filming.