TV drama development: BBC Studios Writers' Academy

A minimum eight writers a year will get paid training and commissions with the BBC's flagship shows

The year-long scheme for new TV writing talent will be led by John Yorke, who was formerly head of drama for the BBC and C4. He created and designed the BBC's original Writers' Academy which ran from 2005 to 2013.

'Writers are at the very heart of TV drama and it’s brilliant that BBC Studios – and now the wider independent community – have come on board to invest in the next generation of talent.  I’m absolutely thrilled to be bringing a new version of the Academy back to the BBC,' said John.

The writers selected for the BBC Studios Writers' Academy will spend 13 weeks from September to December on an intensive writing course where they will learn the skills involved in creating TV drama. Between January and August 2020 they will script episodes of Casualty, Holby City and East Enders. They will pitch for an episode of Doctors and be given a paid training attachment to River City. They will also be commissioned to develop and write a treatment for their original TV drama series idea.

To be eligible, writers must have at least one professional produced work (min 30 minutes) in TV, radio, theatre or film drama. To apply, send a CV, an original drama script and a story idea. Applications open on 8 April and close on 7 May.

For full details see the website.

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