An episode of Emmerdale starring only female cast members and created by women will air on International Women's Day tonight, focusing on some of the soap's most-loved female characters.
The one-off special, which will air in the usual Friday slot, was filmed by an all-female crew who were brought together especially so they could work on this one broadcast.
The episode is set to feature almost all of the female characters in the soap, including Charlotte Bellamy as Laurel Thomas, Michelle Hardwick as Vanessa Woodfield, Emma Atkins as Charity Dingle and Lucy Pargeter as Chas Dingle.
Emmerdale's executive producer Jane Hudson said: "I believe soaps are leading the way with gender equality on set. This is a great opportunity for Emmerdale to show the female talent we have both in front and behind the camera."
Producer Kate Brooks insisted that the special episode "is not only a celebration of women but a showcase for female talent in the industry".
"We wanted the episode to be character driven and story led, exploring all aspects of what it’s like to be a women in 2019," Brooks said.
When the news was announced last year, Hudson, who took over Emmerdale in June after being ITV's drama commissioner, joked: "The men are loving it.
"What they don't realise is that we're going to give some of our males the traditional female roles for the day, so we'll all be bringing our kids in."
She added: "We're really excited about this, and really proud to be doing it, and to recognise International Women's Day.
Emmerdale is on ITV, week nights at 7pm, with an extra episode on Thursday's at 8pm
