Emmerdale directors Ian Bevitt and Tim O’Mara have shared on the big challenges they faced filming the 50th anniversary episodes, as a deadly windstorm hits the village and causes death and destruction.
The huge episodes next week will see lives on the line and the village destroyed, as the storm strikes and causes carnage.
It's been revealed that amid the gales there will be a series of stunts, including a cow stampede, as some of the residents get caught up in dangerous scenes - and not everyone will make it out alive.
Now, directors Ian and Tim, who between them have directed the full stunt week and the 50th birthday episode, have spilled all on what it was like to film the windstorm.
Both revealed there were moments where things didn't run smoothly, but the team got there in the end with exciting episodes ahead.
Ian, who has directed Sunday and Monday's episodes, revealed: "The major challenge was shooting a storm in daylight in the summer!
"We had to use wind machines, debris and clever camera angles to suggest the increasing, encroaching storm. There were also many stunts and set-pieces to orchestrate, but the brilliant crew and technical advisers we had on board helped immensely with that.
"Largely the weather helped us - it was sunny when we needed it to be sunny - pre -storm, and cloudy and dark when we needed it to be.
"Some of the less controllable aspects - horses and cows, for example, proved to be quite challenging, but we got there in the end, I feel."
On what his favourite storyline or favourite episode of Emmerdale was, he added: "This one - the 50th anniversary. It will take some beating."
Meanwhile Tim, who directed the rest of the storm week episodes, spilled on his own challenges - including a case of Covid-19 that left him a cameraman down.
He said: "No shoot goes exactly to plan – weather intrudes and crossovers between artistes from one block to another can result in stand downs. I also lost my lead cameraman after one day due to Covid.
"Ian also had to work with cattle and sometimes they don’t listen to direction. But I am very pleased with our rushes. The performances are outstanding."
Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments section below
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV and ITV Hub, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
