It's hard to believe that it has been 20 years since River City first aired on our screens and to celebrate the milestone, faces from the show's past will revisit the streets of Shieldinch alongside current cast to film a special episode. As well as this unique episode, BBC Scotland will also air River City: 20 Year Celebration – an entertainment show hosted by actor and presenter, Grant Stott.
Filming began this week on the special River City episode which will air around the anniversary at the end of September and sees Bob O’Hara (Stephen Purdon) and best mate Angus Lindsay (Scott Fletcher) wake up in a parallel dimension where all is not as it seems as they come face-to-face with ghosts from Shieldinch’s past.
Written by Johnny McKnight and made by BBC Studios Scotland, the storyline centres around Bob’s disastrous birthday celebrations where - after drinking a 20-year-old bottle of vintage wine with Angus - the hungover pair wake up in a world they don’t recognise, and their lives have taken an altogether different direction. As they navigate their way through this surreal multiverse, the friends come across familiar faces from Shieldinch’s past.
River City: 20 Year Celebration will debut on BBC iPlayer on Saturday, September 24 – the exact date River City launched in 2002. The anniversary episode of River City (along with the second episode of that week) will then debut on BBC iPlayer on the morning of Monday, September 26 ahead of its TX on the BBC Scotland channel at 10pm. This will then be followed by the entertainment special - River City: 20 Year Celebration – on BBC Scotland at 10.30pm.
A must-see episode for River City fans, iconic characters returning include Gina Rossi (played by Libby McArthur), Eileen Donachie (Deirdre Davis), Raymond Henderson (Paul Samson), Ewan Murdoch (Chris Brazier), Robbie Fraser (Gary Lamont), Gabriel Brodie (Garry Sweeney), Billy Kennedy (Alexander Morton), Thomas McCabe (Tam Dean Burn), Martina Kennedy (Ann Louise Ross), Stella Walker (Keira Lucchesi), Kelly-Marie Adams (Carmen Pieraccini), Zinnie Hassoun (Nalini Chetty), DCI Whiteside (Michael Nardone) and DCI Grant (Therese Bradley).
Actor Stephen Purdon, who plays Bob O’Hara, joined the drama when it launched in September 2002 and is the only original cast member still in the award-winning drama.. He’s thrilled his character Bob will be at the heart of the anniversary celebrations: “I’m so humbled this special River City anniversary episode is centred around Bob – he’s been a part of the show and my life for two decades now so it feels like the perfect scenario.
"The anniversary episode is full of twists and turns and Bob goes through a lot, with his best mate Angus by his side. At the heart of it all, it’s about family which is so important to Bob and, for me, this show has become my family over the years. Johnny McKnight has written the perfect episode which is a fitting tribute to River City and the fans are going to love it. They’ll have a wee lump in their throats watching it and, as well as some lovely emotional moments, there are plenty of laughs along the way and a few familiar faces from Shieldinch’s past.
“When I think about the fact I’ve been here for 20 years, it’s a wee bit overwhelming - it blows my mind actually. River City has been an education for me and I absolutely learnt my trade as an actor on the streets of Shieldinch. River City means a lot to me and our fans are incredible - I’m looking forward to celebrating the shows’ very special big birthday with all of them.”
Writer Johnny McKnight, who is part of River City’s core writing team, was delighted to create this celebratory episode: “River City has been part of my life for the last 20 years, primarily as an avid viewer. To have now, twenty years on, been tasked to write the anniversary special is a privilege both as a writer and as a fan-boy. Hopefully taking a trip down memory lane brings the viewers as much joy as I had writing it.”
Series Producer, Martin McCardie, says: “River City owes everything to its loyal fans - this episode is for them. And in producing it we pay homage to the cast, crew and supporting artists who have all contributed to a wonderful 20 years. Happy Birthday River City!”
Gavin Smith, BBC Scotland Commissioning Executive, adds: “River City has been a much loved stalwart of the BBC Scotland schedule for two decades now and this feel-good special episode full of fun and nostalgia is the perfect way to celebrate this landmark birthday. Coupled with a companion celebration show looking back at favourite characters and packed with entertainment - as well as a celebrity song! - it’s going to be a great big birthday party for all the fans.”
As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, BBC Scotland will also broadcast River City: 20 Year Celebration – a one-off entertainment special hosted by actor and presenter Grant Stott (who plays Sam Spiller in River City) and filmed at the show’s iconic set in Dumbarton.
In this hour-long show, current cast will join with familiar faces from the past to celebrate the show’s history, reliving memorable moments as well as welcoming some special guests and fans of the series.
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