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Legendary movie star Whoopi Goldberg joins cast of long-running TV soap

Legendary movie star Whoopi Goldberg joins cast of long-running TV soap

Metroa day ago
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Hollywood actress Whoopi Goldberg has signed up for an appearance in a long-running soap opera.
The iconic star, 69, who is best known for her parts in Sister Act and The Color Purple, announced her new role on Friday.
But don't expect her to be strolling down the famed Corrie cobbles or ordering a pint in The Queen Vic – the serial drama she's joining is produced in Italy.
Un Posto Al Sole (which translates to A Place in The Sun) has aired on Rai 3 since 1996, and is based around the residents of fictional apartment complex Palazzo Palladini, in a beach front suburb of Naples.
While the concept may seem totally alien to us Brits, it's actually produced by Fremantle Media, who make Australian TV phenomenon Neighbours.
The cast and crew adopt the same production techniques, share storyline ideas and even have similar opening titles that feature the show's residents smiling into the camera around their locality.
Whoopi's casting was revealed in an Instagram post which read: 'A surprise is coming to #UnPostoAlSole: Whoopi Goldberg joins the cast!'
'Her character will be part of a special storyline and will appear in multiple episodes in 2026.'
In an attached video, The View presenter said: 'I just wanted to stop in to say how happy I am to be joining the cast of Un Posto Al Sole.'
'They know it's a crazy idea, I know it's a crazy idea, but what a wonderful thing to do. So I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited.'
There is one hitch though – which the EGOT winning icon was keen to address: 'I know my Italian is not perfect,' she said: 'But we've worked it out.'
Details of her character are yet to be released, but it's understood that she will spend a month filming a 20 episode stint. Her first scenes will air in February 2026.
Director Maria Pia Ammirati has teased that Whoopi will be central to a new plot, and she will be entwined in a love story with one of the soap's longest-running characters.
'We are writing the Whoopi line' she explained.
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'It will be a very unique plot, with a mystery component and – why not – also a romantic encounter with one of the protagonists.'
Last year, Casualty actor William Beck told Metro that Whoopi was almost cast in the BBC medical drama.
'I can tell you, there was one other name they thought about asking. They were thinking of going for Whoopi Goldberg. What a remarkable thought!' he said.
'When Covid came around, the scope and budget of TV drama has now been limited but it'll be back! We'll be doing stuff like that before too long I'm sure.'
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Un posto al sole airs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:50pm on Rai 3 or can be streamed on Rai Player.
If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we'd love to hear from you.
Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
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