River City: documentary to celebrate legacy as Scottish soap axed

River City: Our Story will pay tribute to BBC Scotland’s long-running drama series as it prepares to air its final episode in the autumn.

The documentary will be directed by Tony Kearney, who starred in River City for nearly ten years as Scott Wallace after its launch in September 2002.

Looking back on some of the most defining moments from River City’s 24 years on screen, the current cast will come together in their on-screen family groupings to rewatch highlights and reminisce about shooting the soap’s most famous scenes.

The BBC announced the soap’s run would come to an end last year, saying there had been a significant change in audience behaviour away from long-running series and towards shorter runs. Singer Susan Boyle, Outlander star Sam Heughan, broadcaster Lorraine Kelly and Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills are among the celebrities to have made cameo appearances since the series began in September 2002.

The one-off hour-long documentary, made by Solus Productions, will also feature behind-the-scenes footage as the cast and crew prepare to shoot their final episodes in the fictional community of Shieldinch, filmed at the Dumbarton Studios in Scotland in April this year.

Gavin Smith, commissioning editor for drama at BBC Scotland said: “We're thrilled that the Solus team will be producing this fabulous celebration of Shieldinch as part of our River City finale plans. It will be a lovely stroll down Montego Street memory lane full of great clips and great stories.”

The documentary will also feature contributions from the public, as some of River City’s biggest fans share the surprising impact the show has had on them as well as their memories from over two decades and more than 1500 episodes of love, murder and laughs in Shieldinch. Details of how fans can share their stories will be announced soon.

River City was regarded as a Scottish competitor to soaps EastEnders and Coronation Street, although it was never broadcast on a UK-wide channel.

When it was announced last March that River City would come to an end, fans took to social media to condemn the cut as a “terrible decision”.

Tony Kearney, executive producer for Solus Productions and director said: “Having been in the first scene on the very first day of 'River City', it will be a full circle moment and a real privilege for me observing the final scene being filmed."

As it announced the end of the long-running show, the BBC said three new dramas - Counsels, Grams and The Young Team - would be launched, creating new opportunities across the independent TV production sector.

The broadcaster said total investment in BBC drama from Scotland over the next three years was expected to rise to more than £95 million in total.

The documentary will air in autumn this year on BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland.