BBC Studios Relaunches Writers’ Academy

BBC Studios has relaunched its BBC Studios Writers’ Academy for 2022 with a new focus to appeal to a broader pool of writers.

The BBC Studios Writers’ Academy was originally created to provide support and paid training for up-and-coming screenwriters by working closely with BBC Continuing Drama Series. For the first time, this year, the course will guide writers through six months of paid series development.

In addition to paid training, successful applicants will receive guest lectures from such established writers in the industry as Jed Mercurio and Russell T Davies and an opportunity to develop their own original drama series. The three months of paid training that the successful Writers’ Academy applicants will receive will include weekly individual tutorials on all aspects of dramatic technique and structure. The six months of paid series development will result in their own original TV pilot script and series bible. There is also a fast-track opportunity for those who wish to trial for an EastEnders episode commission.

Applications open on Friday, March 11, and will close on Sunday, April 3.

John Yorke, head of BBC Studios Writers’ Academy, said: “The television landscape has changed significantly since the Writers’ Academy was founded in 2005, yet our alumni continue to go from strength to strength. A huge number have gone on to create well-loved original series, from The Victim and Red Rock to Grantchester and Malory Towers. Over the next decade, we want to continue to build on their success. This is why we’re appealing to a bigger pool of writers than ever before to find the next generation of original series creators.”

Gareth Farr, Writers’ Academy 2021 participant, said: “Being accepted onto the BBC Writers’ Academy was a life-changing opportunity that has fundamentally changed the way I write. Learning from John Yorke and putting his teaching into practice was such an unbelievable experience. It is only now, after completing the Academy, that I feel fully equipped with the necessary skills to write for TV. I want to do it all over again!”

Berri George, who was also a participant in 2021, said: “The Academy was genuinely transformative. It’s completely revolutionized the way I approach my writing… The classroom phase gives you a toolkit to approach your first professional commissions with so much more confidence.”