Five New Faces Arrive in Shieldinch as River City Back Filming

Filming for BBC Scotland drama River City resumed this week at the BBC Dumbarton Studios, bringing with it five new characters who are sure to stir things up in Shieldinch.

Who are the new faces

The new actors are Emma Currie (Crime), Edward M. Corrie (Guilt), Frances Mayli McCann (Shetland), George Drennan (Dracula Revamped), and Ahd Tamimi (Vikings: Valhalla), River City, a BBC Studios production, will premiere on BBC iPlayer, BBC Scotland, and BBC One Scotland on October 23 with a new multi-series format.

Emma Currie plays Victoria Campbell Baxter, Andrew’s (Greg Powrie) sister and a high-flying legal advocate with a reputation for getting what she wants. After hearing about the rape allegations levelled against her younger brother by Lydia Murdoch, Victoria travels to Shieldinch to show her support. But Victoria is a cruel person who is only loyal to herself; she could cause Andrew even more trouble.

Meanwhile, Mikey (Darren Brownlie) and Jonathon Whitlock (Edward M. Corrie) have fallen in love. Jonathon, who is fixated on love and meeting “Mr. Right,” completely overwhelms Mikey with his devotion. But Gillian (Gail Watson), Mikey’s best friend, is suspicious that maybe Jonathon is too good to be true.

Sam (Grant Stott) has his world turned upside down when his older brother Seb (George Drennan) and step-daughter Chloe Qi-Lewis (Frances Mayli McCann) come to visit.

The Spiller brothers have a healthy dose of sibling rivalry. Seb, a plumber by day and a musician at night, will set off fireworks when his two feuding brothers are brought together.

When Sam’s stepdaughter Chloe comes to visit after hearing his voice on the radio, she is greeted with open arms. Chloe, ever the adventurer, decided to uproot her life from Hong Kong and start fresh somewhere else. Chloe, like Sam, is the kind of person who brings out the best in those around her.

Armand Ashraf, portrayed by Ahd Tamini, is the new barber in town. Armand, after opening a temporary barbershop in Shieldinch’s new Merchant’s Yard, will quickly reconnect with his old friend Ash (played by Brian James Leys) and make some new friends. Armand may be here on business, but his stay will be purely leisurely.

“I get to use my own anglicised Scottish accent” – Emma Currie

Emma Currie (Victoria Campbell-Baxter) says: “I am very excited about taking on the role of Victoria Campbell-Baxter – for one thing I get to use my own anglicised Scottish accent! Now, I can enjoy bringing out all the subtleties of a posh Scot who is clearly suffering from a complex family trauma that no doubt has plagued the Campbell Baxter’s from generation to generation. I want to have some fun with her and show that people are never just one thing…we are all capable of wearing many faces. I’m very much looking forward to settling into life in Shieldinch.”

River City has started filming its new multi-series format. As of Monday, October 23rd, the series will instead air as three separate series per year, separated by a minimum of six weeks. Each season will premiere on BBC iPlayer every Monday and air for 11 weeks.

Image Credit: Emma Currie (Image: Alan Peebles/BBC Studios/BBC Scotland)