Holby City references coronavirus with last-minute insert scene
Holby City referenced the coronavirus for the first time during tonight's (March 10) episode of the BBC One medical drama.
About 10 minutes in, acting CEO and consultant neurosurgeon Max McGerry – played by Jo Martin – was going over her tasks when she mentioned that she was "briefing the staff on the ever-changing coronavirus situation".
Given the show films episodes months in advance, this was likely an insert scene or voice dubbing recorded at the last minute.
Digital Spy has reached out to the soap to find out when it was taped.
Related: 11 huge new Holby City spoilers from the show's spring trailer
Usually, soap fans have to rely on EastEnders to film a last-minute scene to make a topical reference.
The Albert Square serial most recently made a cheeky reference to the general election, and has previously mentioned Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal baby and England's World Cup heroics (and failures).
But given the nature of the topic and the current climate surrounding the coronavirus, it makes sense that the Holby bosses decided to have Max refer to it with a last-minute recording.
Naturally, Holby fans picked up on the mention of the virus, as many reacted to it on social media.
One person wrote: "Wow a reference to Coronavirus! I'm impressed #HolbyCity seeing as you film 4 months in advance! Ms McGerry sure has the finger on the pulse!"
"You know it's serious when #coronavirus is mentioned on #holbycity 😮😮" added another.
"Oooh they've dubbed in a coronavirus reference into Holby. Smooth," wrote a third.
Check out more reactions to the scene below:
Nice #coronavirus reshoot #HolbyCity 👍🏻👍🏻very timely
— 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜 💋👩🏻 (@Fluffadelic) March 10, 2020
You know it's serious when #coronavirus is mentioned on #holbycity 😮😮
— Emma Hollis (@emzhollis) March 10, 2020
Looks like #holbycity have inserted a recently filmed scene about the Coronavirus.
— Martin Phillp 🔶 (@PlexNetflix) March 10, 2020
Oooh they've dubbed in a coronavirus reference into Holby. Smooth.
— Podders (@Morris_Oxford) March 10, 2020
Holby City sneaking in some crafty Coronavirus reshoots there.
— Mick Convey (@nalaknip) March 10, 2020
Wow a reference to Coronavirus! I'm impressed #HolbyCity seeing as you film 4 months in advance! Ms McGerry sure has the finger on the pulse!
— Matt Naylor (@MNaylor_) March 10, 2020
Holby City continues next Tuesday (March 17) at 8pm on BBC One.
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