Chris Packham has expressed interest in appearing on EastEnders in a guest role as a climate protestor, hoping to use the soap's platform to educate a wider audience about the climate crisis.
Packham's vision for Albert Square
The conservationist and Springwatch presenter told Radio Times that he wants to play a climate protestor on Albert Square, explaining it would allow him to communicate with a different audience than he usually reaches.
'There is a growing awareness of the scale of the crisis that we find ourselves in. I don't think there's enough truth telling within broader media to bring it home to everyone,' he said.
Reaching beyond the converted
Packham noted that it seems only people already aware of the climate crisis seek out media about it, leaving others uninformed. 'The trouble is, I keep popping that bubble and looking outside, and I see that other people are not aware of the gravity of that crisis, or some of them are still in the position where actually they're denying … and that's really scary,' he added.
He called for climate messaging to be integrated into broader output, including news, weather, and dramas.
Previous soap crossover on climate
UK soaps previously collaborated on a climate-themed crossover in 2021, coinciding with the COP26 Conference. Coronation Street, Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks, Doctors, Holby City, and Casualty participated, with characters appearing across different shows.
In Emmerdale, Dr Liam Cavanagh shared his allotment efforts, while a video of the 'Letherbridge World Warrior' fighting pollution was watched on Corrie. Emmerdale actor Jonny McPherson said at the time, 'The nice thing about it is that it doesn't feel preachy. There's another preaching going on with politicians and programs generally. I just feel like it's quite a fun way of starting a conversation about it all.'
