EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders star Shane Richie has praised new producer Chris Clenshaw for sparking a change of atmosphere on set.
Shane returned to filming at the BBC soap this summer, reprising his popular role as Alfie Moon after nearly four years away.
Speaking to Digital Spy and other media at a recent EastEnders press event, Shane shared how he noticed a change when he arrived back at the studios.
He explained: "It's strange – a good strange. It's very different now. Last time, I came in to do a storyline where Alfie got pushed down the stairs and I left to go and do something else.
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"As you know, I do a lot of theatre and touring in theatre companies. Coming back, with the cast, the producers and directors and writers, there's a real sense of a theatre community.
"The way it's changed now, I think it's down to Chris Clenshaw because he's grown up with this show. It's in his DNA and he knows how people work. I've come back and I feel like I'm part of something that's so strong at the moment."
Shane added that cast members like Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, are now socialising more on set.
He said: "I've known Steve McFadden for a long time and the only time I used to see Steve was when we were on set. Now I see Steve sitting down in the green room area, which is open plan and we've got our own little Costa Coffee.
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"Everyone is there and the scripts are there and I see Steve there, and I've never experienced that before. With all the cast there's a real sense of camaraderie and it feels so positive right now.
"It feels like a touring production – all these actors and writers and producers, and we have access to each other's lives right now. Forget what's happening on screen, what you see on screen is a result of what's happening behind the cameras and after being here 20 years ago, some of the camera guys are still the same.
"But also I never used to get access to the writers. Chris has come along and said: 'Right this is not just about the actors or writers or producers or directors, everybody's in this together' and coming into that is a real buzz.
"Everyone really does care about each other and the direction we're going in now feels so strong."
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Clenshaw was appointed as executive producer last year, taking over from Jon Sen. His first credited episodes began on screen in the summer.
Alfie will return to Walford later this month, surprising his ex-wife Kat Slater on the day she's due to marry Phil.
Check out Digital Spy's full coverage from EastEnders' autumn press event:
- EastEnders confirms Dot Branning death storyline as soap pays tribute to June Brown
- EastEnders breaks silence on Sid Owen's return as Ricky Butcher
- EastEnders casts Navin Chowdhry as newcomer Nish Panesar
- EastEnders' new boss Chris Clenshaw shares vision for show's future
- EastEnders boss promises shock DI Keeble revelation in Mitchell flashback episode
- EastEnders to introduce a face from Sam Mitchell's past
- EastEnders boss teases ending of Mick and Janine story
- EastEnders teases Mitchell flashback twists with new images and spoilers
- EastEnders boss reveals dramatic arrival for Freddie Slater as Bobby Brazier takes on role
- EastEnders newcomer Bobby Brazier reveals emotional scenes for Freddie Slater
- EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw explains why he's bringing back Alfie Moon
- EastEnders star Shane Richie promises big Alfie Moon change in return plot
- EastEnders star Shane Richie teases Alfie and Linda twist in return plot
- EastEnders star Shane Richie reflects on scrapped storyline for Alfie Moon
EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage.
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