ITV Emmerdale star lifts lid on ‘strict limits’ for certain cast members on set
An Emmerdale star has shared the strict behind-the-scenes rules that some actors must follow whilst filming
An Emmerdale star has revealed what it’s like on set (Image: ITV)
The residents of Emmerdale have been captivating ITV audiences for decades. However, while the dramatic storylines unfold on screen, some viewers may be curious about what occurs behind the scenes. Child actress Mabel Addison, who portrays Clemmie Reed in the ITV soap, has now shared insights into what it’s really like to work in the Dales.
Posting to Instagram on Tuesday (July 28), Mabel’s account, which is managed by her family, shared multiple behind-the-scenes photographs of the youngster. These included cheerful pictures with her on-screen parents Olivia Bromley and Jay Kontzle, who portray Dawn and Billy Fletcher. “BTS – Nice Filming with the whole family. Lots of people ask us how it works with having a child on a film set – particularly when it comes to getting permission for time off school and all the documentation that’s involved,” the caption reads, reports the Daily Star.
“For Mabel, the first step is getting a letter from her school granting permission for a set number of days off. That letter is then submitted, along with detailed paperwork, to our local council, which issues a licence allowing her to miss a certain number of school days within a specific timeframe.”
After the licence is secured, the family must adhere to “very strict” licensing regulations, meaning that Mabel must be monitored whenever she is filming, resting off set, or having meal breaks.
The caption went on: “There are also strict limits on how long children can work. Mabel can only film continuously for two and a half hours, and no more than five hours in total in a day. She also can’t be on the filming site for more than nine hours in total. Once a child is over the age of nine, they’re allowed to film for up to five hours a day. If they’re under nine, however, the limit is three hours. That’s why productions will sometimes cast a child who looks younger than they are, because they can legally work for longer.”
Mabel’s family continued: “You might also notice that there can be long periods where you don’t see children in a soap at all. That’s often because the production is saving them for a particular storyline, or simply because because they can’t be filming all the time.
Mabel Addison plays Clemmie Reed (Image: ITV)
“There are strict limits on how much children can work, but it’s also important that they maintain a normal life. They need the opportunity to enjoy a normal childhood while they’re growing up. Productions have to balance filming with making sure the child’s well being/everyday life always come first.”
Young performer Mabel joined the programme as Clemmie back in 2022. Clemmie was brought in as the daughter of Beth Reed, a friend of Dawn’s. Following a short period in foster care, Dawn and her then-husband Billy were awarded special guardianship of Clemmie in 2023. She presently resides at Home Farm, living with her younger brothers, Lucas (Noah Ryan Aspinall) and Evan (Malachi McKenzie).
Clemmie previously endured upheaval after Dawn embarked on an affair with Joe Tate (Ned Porteous). The youngster caught the pair sharing a kiss, with Joe swiftly warning her to stay silent.
Joe has since made amends with Clemmie and is now engaged to Dawn, who is carrying his first child. The forthcoming nuptials could be thrown into disarray, however, after Billy attempted to kiss Dawn earlier this week. But did Joe witness the moment? Only time will tell.
Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX