BBC Studios TalentWorks Picks New Scripted Creators in Residence

BBC Studios TalentWorks has unveiled two new recruits for its Creator in Residence program, playwright and comedy screenwriter Liz Daramola and actor Hammed Animashaun, who will both focus on scripted projects.

Daramola has joined Baby Cow Productions, a BBC Studios production label, for a six-month placement to develop new original TV content. When she was part of Soho Theatre’s Writers Lab, she developed her debut play Bonhomié, which was shortlisted for the Tony Craze Award in 2020 and long listed for the Mustapha Matura Award in 2021. In 2020, she was part of Edinburgh TV Festival’s The Network, and in 2021, she joined the Royal Court Writers’ Group and BBC London Voices. She is currently writing on Frogbox’s PJ Masks for Disney.

“I’m delighted to join Baby Cow as the new Creator in Residence,” Daramola said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to create content with one of the U.K.’s leading production companies. I can’t wait to work with the brilliant team and see what the next six months produce! Thank you to BBC Studios TalentWorks and Baby Cow for this fantastic opportunity.”

Sarah Monteith, CEO of Baby Cow Productions, added, “Like everyone at Baby Cow, Liz has something to say. She’s also dedicated to spotting and nurturing talented, young and diverse voices. We were bowled over the moment we met her!”

Animashaun, meanwhile, has joined BBC Studios Comedy Productions for a six-month placement to develop original vTV content. He has worked in television, film and theater, with credits that include series such as BBC Studios Comedy Productions’ Black Ops, Amazon Studios’ The Wheel of Time, Paramount’s Time Bandits; films such as The Loneliest Boy in the World and Film 4 and Fudge Park’s The Festival; and theater productions ranging from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Three Penny Opera, Master Harold and Barbershop Chronicles at the National Theatre and The Producers at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.

“I can’t find the words to describe how excited and blessed I am to be a part of this program!” Animashaun said. “I can’t wait to hopefully create something special and extremely funny! (No pressure at all, HA!)”

Josh Cole, head of BBC Studios Productions Comedy, said, “Hammed is an electric talent. He is also an exceptionally funny man, and we are thrilled to be working with him on exciting new top-secret comedy projects!”

“BBC Studios TalentWorks was set up to support new voices and to open up the media landscape to creatives from all backgrounds,” added Mark Linsey, managing director of scripted at BBC Studios Productions. “We are incredibly excited that Liz and Hammed are joining our Creator in Residence program. They are both an exciting new generation of talent with an exciting and varied six months ahead of them. We can’t wait to see what they develop and deliver.”