BBC Studios Drama Productions, the UK’s biggest drama production hub outside London, has announced new initiatives to champion the next generation of British drama writers.
 

The new range of BBC Studios TalentWorks training and development opportunities aims to support the growth of the wider UK drama industry with Deborah Sathe, creative director for BBC Studios Drama Productions now overseeing all scripted training initiatives. 
 

The newly-created Writer Spotlight scheme has been established as part of the overall offering.

The programme will work with eight drama writers and four comedy performers, who have previously worked on commissioned series, to develop and harness their own ideas and IP through workshops, events and access to industry experts. 
 

The first cohort of 12 writers will be partnered with the production teams at four of BBC Studios’ production labels – Firebird Pictures, House Productions, Lookout Point and Sid Gentle Films as well as with the BBC Drama Productions team. 

The 12 writers selected are: Waleed Akhtar, Ciara Conway, Jamie Davis, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Lizzie Nunnery, Meg Salter, Ben Tagoe, Toby Walton, Jess Bray, Rachel Harper Yemi Oyefuwa and Laura Smyth. Over the course of the next year the talent will work with a dedicated team to develop their pilot scripts for their own shows.  

Sathe said: “BBC Studios’ soap, medical dramas and cosy crime productions have always been an extraordinary training ground yielding so many stars. Through BBC Studios TalentWorks, we are extending our training ambitions to offer world class support, access and experience to see a new wave of British storytellers flourish.  I am so excited about the talent we are working with and the shows they will launch.  It is a really exhilarating time to be part of BBC Studios.” 
 

Image: 12 writers in the 2023 BBC Studios TalentWorks The Writer Spotlight.