ITV Academy’s Original Voices Writing Initiative Returns

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ITV Academy’s writing initiative Original Voices, giving applicants from underrepresented groups the opportunity to work on the U.K.’s biggest soap operas, has opened applications for its next program.

Previously, the initiative alternated between soap operas, but the upcoming program will offer placements across both Emmerdale and Coronation Street. For 12 weeks, two placements will be housed at each production.

Candidates will experience the full story-to-script process of two of the most successful U.K. projects. Successful participants will be mentored by one of the shows’ current writers and be given the chance to write a shadow script, commissioned at the same time as the current writers’ script. They will also receive 12 months of mentoring following the initiative.

Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color and deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people, are able to apply now through September 24. Placements are set to begin in February 2024.

David Proud, who secured a permanent role on Coronation Street after participating in the initiative, said: “For a writer, Original Voices is the best career opportunity you could ever apply for. It gives people hands-on experience at the heart of ITV Studios’ Continuing Drama, and you become a fully valued part of the writing team. It changed my life, and now I try to honor that original voice in the episodes I write. If you have something unique to say, then apply, as you might end up getting to say it in our writer’s room!”

John Whiston, managing director of Continuing Drama at ITV Studios, added: “Original Voices has opened up doors and given invaluable real-time experience to aspiring writers, some of whom go on to become regular writers on ITV’s most iconic soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. This initiative gives fantastic opportunities to new diverse talent so they can sit at the table, have a voice in the room and be a part of key creative conversations.”