Dame Judi Dench has joined more than 100 current and former cast members of The Archers in urging the BBC to keep the long-running radio drama in Birmingham. The appeal comes after the broadcaster shelved plans for a dedicated recording studio at its new Midland base at the Typhoo Tea Factory in Digbeth, a decision linked to £500 million cost-cutting measures.
In a letter dated October 16, addressed to BBC director-general Matt Brittin, the signatories warned that moving The Archers out of the Midlands would be "akin to Corrie leaving the north-west, or EastEnders the south-east." They said the decision risked "ripping out the heart of Ambridge," the fictional village where the programme is set.
Campaign to reverse studio decision
The letter, signed by Dame Judi Dench alongside scriptwriters, directors, and sound staff, calls on the BBC to reverse its decision and recommit to the planned Digbeth studio. The move would leave the soap without a Birmingham recording studio when its current lease at the Mailbox ends. The Archers has been made in Birmingham since its conception in 1950.
Cast and crew argued that moving recording elsewhere would undermine the show's connection to the region and damage opportunities for local creative workers. The letter highlighted how many Midlands actors receive their first professional credits on the programme, alongside employment for local writers, directors, and technicians.
Quality and financial concerns
The signatories also warned that separating the cast from the production team could affect the quality of the show, which is broadcast six days a week throughout the year. "Removing the recording of The Archers from the Midlands and divorcing the production team from the cast will have a tangible impact on the quality of the programme and represents an existential threat to its future," they wrote.
They challenged the BBC's financial rationale, arguing that a dedicated studio would cost around £1.2 million to £1.5 million, compared with the potential expense of relocating staff or hiring a new team elsewhere. The cast and crew suggested the Digbeth studio could also serve as a "training facility for the next generation of radio actors, writers, and technicians."
BBC response and next steps
In the letter, the signatories added: "We love working in Birmingham and are proud to be custodians of this magnificent programme, which belongs to everyone, and has its roots deep in Midlands soil. It should stay, and thrive, where it belongs."
Matt Brittin said the broadcaster was under pressure to reduce expenditure, but insisted both parties were working together to identify future recording venues. "We're going to explore how we can best house The Archers where they need to be and at the moment, we have other studio space around the country which could accommodate them," he said.
A spokesperson for the BBC said it recognised the "value" of The Archers' long-standing relationship with the West Midlands, and said it was seeking "a more cost-effective solution." The future of the programme's recording base in Birmingham remains under discussion, with the BBC yet to confirm a final decision on alternative venues.
