Mal, head of ongoing drama serials has been keen to have a drama filmed in and around the city Now there's news that all of series four will be made here.
An BBC insider confirmed that the next series is being filmed entirely in and around Liverpool.
He says "Previous series have seen exteriors shot in the old Golden Wonder Crisp factory in Hough Green and exteriors around Widnes and Runcorn with a lot of interior shots filmed in London. "Now we'll be seeing more action here in the city."
Actor John McArdle, (above), who won the Royal Television Society's Best Actor award in 2002 for his portrayal of stressed-out copper Jim, is delighted at the news.
He told The insider "There will be new characters, notably a detective, and meatier stories including murder investigations - something we didn't do in earlier episodes."
John says the news that series four will be based in Liverpool topped off a perfect year. "When I left Brookside I didn't want to be part of a long-running series. I deliberately did one-offs and guest appearances but the character of Jim fitted me like a glove - winning the RTS was a real thrill.
"Then in January I was on This Is Your Life and that was such a proud moment. Mal's team got me on the Merseybeat set on false pretences - they said it was to do a shoot and I thought 'flipping heck.' But they were setting me up for Michael Aspel and the Big Red Book.
"The book only arrived in the post yesterday and I want to put it in a glass case and the Brookie crew - it was fabulous. "Now to find that the series is critical lyacclaimed and stories are getting tougher and stronger is more than all of us could have wished for.
"Now the Mersey in Merseybeat will be 100% and will be an extra bonus to our Capital of Culture bid."
A mystery BIG Scouse name will also be joining John, Leslie Ash and Joanna Taylor when filming starts next month. Watch this space.
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