River City Stars Protest BBC Cancellation at Scottish Parliament

Cast members and supporters of the long-running Scottish soap River City protested at the Scottish Parliament, urging BBC Scotland to reverse its decision to cancel the show in September 2026. Lawmakers from multiple parties, including SNP, Labour, Conservative, and Green, joined in supporting a motion to save the program, arguing its closure would create a cultural and economic vacuum. Actors and MSPs highlighted River City's importance as Scotland's only domestic soap, emphasizing its role in nurturing regional talent and providing training opportunities, with over 70 trainees involved in recent years. Critics fear that canceling the show would harm Scotland's creative industries, especially for those relying on River City as a training ground and a pathway into television. BBC Scotland cited shifting audience habits as the reason for the decision, promising to increase investment in other major drama productions, but cast members argue that short-term productions cannot replace River City's year-round opportunities. The protest underscores widespread concern about job losses, diminished local representation, and the future of the Dumbarton studio site.