Judi Dench and The Archers cast urge BBC boss to keep show in Birmingham

Former and current cast members of The Archers, including Dame Judi Dench and Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh, have written to the BBC director-general Matt Brittin urging him to keep the recording of the radio drama in Birmingham.

It comes after the BBC cancelled plans to build a new bespoke studio for the programme at its Tea Factory in Digbeth amid its cost-cutting measures.

The corporation is instead considering existing studios around the UK and other options in the West Midlands, which means the show could be recorded outside the city for the first time since 1951.

The move would pose an “existential threat” to the radio drama’s future, according to a letter signed by more than 100 current and previous cast members along with scriptwriters, editors and trade unions Equity UK and The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB).

The letter said: “We believe it’s a great betrayal of the people of Birmingham, its creative industries and its local businesses, all of whom benefit from The Archers’ presence in the city.

“It would also bring to an end a 75-year relationship between programme and place.

“The Archers leaving the Midlands is akin to Corrie leaving the North West, or EastEnders leaving the South East.”

It went on to say that leaving the city would risk “ripping out the heart of Ambridge”, the fictional village the drama is set in.

The letter continued: “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.”

“A flagship show deserves flagship facilities, from which both the BBC and the city of Birmingham would benefit for decades.”

Dame Judi, 91, appeared on the show as Pru Forrest and signed the letter alongside former cast members including Andoh, The Theory Of Everything actress Felicity Jones, Shetland’s Mark Bonnar and comedian Hugh Dennis.

The Office actress Lucy Davis also signed the letter along with Outnumbered actress Claire Skinner and EastEnders star Kellie Bright.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We recognise and value The Archers’ long-standing relationship with the West Midlands, which remains an important part of the programme’s future and The Archers production team will remain in their current home in the Mailbox and move, as planned, to the Tea Factory in Digbeth in early 2028.

“However, after careful consideration, as part of the BBC’s wider drive to reduce costs, we are no longer building a new recording studio for the Archers in the Tea Factory.

“We’re currently assessing the BBC’s existing studio facilities around the UK as well as other external studio options in the West Midlands to find a more cost-effective solution which will deliver significant savings whilst also maintaining The Archers’ high production standards.”

The Archers has aired on BBC radio since 1951 and has clocked up more than 20,000 episodes, more than any other continuous drama serial in the world.

It reaches millions of devoted fans who tune in to hear the ups and downs experienced by the residents of Ambridge.

The BBC announced plans in June for savings across the news, nations and content divisions – which are set to deliver £160 million of £500 million in savings needed by 2028/29.

Around 2,000 jobs are expected to be cut as part of the process.

The BBC’s latest annual report detailed how the corporation’s financial outlook “deteriorated” in the second half of 2025.