Pilot

An epic project that on both paper and in reality can only be described as a TV writer's dream.
鈥� Nessah Muthy (2016 Scheme)

Pilot (formerly know as the TV Drama Writers' Programme) is a unique initiative that gives promising screenwriters the opportunity to write the first episode of a potential original series or serial for the 成人论坛.

Every two years around 10 to 15 writers are partnered with independent production companies over a year. Throughout the year, the writers attend masterclasses and workshops with established television writers and production teams while developing and writing their script. The aim is that the writer鈥檚 series or serial will be taken into full development by the 成人论坛.

The programme began in 2014 as the Drama Production Writers' Scheme and was run by the 成人论坛's in-house Drama Production department. Since 2016 the scheme has been run by 成人论坛 Writers.

Latest News

We are thrilled to introduce the 2024/25 成人论坛 Writers Pilot cohort, showcasing a remarkable group of writers from all corners of the UK.

Find full details over on our blog

Lost Boys and Fairies

Watch Daf James describe his writing journey with the 成人论坛. Daf is the creator and writer of 成人论坛 One drama Lost Boys and Fairies which was developed through the Pilot scheme and broadcast on 成人论坛 One and 成人论坛 iPlayer in June 2024.

Are you interested in applying for Pilot?

Applications to be part of Pilot are open every two years. The next application window will be in early 2026.

To apply you will need to be already represented by a literary agent AND/OR already have had a piece of work professionally produced in either radio, theatre, television or film (with a minimum duration of 30 minutes).

As part of your application you will need to submit a sample script, which should have a minimum of 50 pages and a maximum of 100 pages. Your sample script must be for Television Drama or Comedy-Drama. This is so that writers will be able to display that they already have the craft skills necessary to work at the intensity required for the Pilot scheme, as well as showing a commitment to writing for UK television.

Together with your sample script you also need to submit a 1-page pitch for a television drama series/serial (this must be a separate idea from your sample script) and answers to some questions about your writing history and interest in writing for television.

Your produced credit does not necessarily have to be for television for you to be eligible for this opportunity.

*Please Note* This is a separate opportunity from our annual Open Call.

Pilot 2024/25

Meet the writers and production companies taking part in our latest Pilot scheme. For 2024/25 this prestigious initiative is partnering 14 talented early-career screenwriters (including two writing partnerships) with 12 independent production companies, with a script-commission, giving the screenwriters the opportunity to write the first episode of a potential 成人论坛-commissioned original drama series or serial.

For the first time this year two additional Scotland-based writers are taking part in the Pilot scheme and have been partnered with Scottish indies, with support from Screen Scotland.

成人论坛 Writers Pilot scheme writers for 2024/25: Faebian Averies, Lauren Bensted, Adam Grant, Sophia Chetin-Leuner, Paolo Chianta, Daniel Katanchian, Alex Mathias, Matthew McDevitt, Danny McNamara, Lauren McNamara, Emma Ramsay, Ali Taylor, Alvin Yu, Zak Zarafshan

During the year-long scheme, which runs from July 2024 to June 2025, the writers attend masterclasses and workshops with established television writers, production teams and experts in screenwriting, while developing their original script. The aim is that the writer鈥檚 series or serial will be taken into full development by the 成人论坛. The writers were identified from an open callout via the 成人论坛 Writers website in September 2023.

The participants in Pilot for 2024/25 are:

Alex Mathias - Lookout Point
Ali Taylor - Mam Tor Productions
Alvin Yu - New Pictures
Daniel Katanchian - Abbottvision
Danny & Lauren McNamara - Two Cities Television
Emma Ramsay - Synchronicity Films
Faebian Averies - Kudos
Lauren Bensted & Adam Grant - 5 Acts Productions
Matthew McDevitt - Hartswood Films
Paolo Chianta - Film Nation
Sophia Chetin-Leuner - Greenacre Films
Zak Zarafshan - Company Pictures

Find out more about the writers over on our blog

Pilot 2023

For 2023 this prestigious initiative (previously known as the TV Drama Writers鈥� Programme) partnered 10 talented early-career screenwriters with 10 independent production companies, with a script-commission, giving the screenwriters the opportunity to write the first episode of a potential 成人论坛-commissioned original drama series or serial.

During the year-long scheme, the writers attended masterclasses and workshops with established television writers, production teams and experts in screenwriting, while developing their original script. The aim is that the writer鈥檚 series or serial will be taken into full development by the 成人论坛.

The participants in Pilot for 2023 were:

Izzy Mant 鈥� Company Pictures
Jeffrey Aidoo 鈥� Greenacre Films
Danielle Ward 鈥� 成人论坛 Studios
Sorcha Kurien-Walsh 鈥� Hartswood Films
Liv Hennessy 鈥� Moonage Pictures
Lawrie Doran 鈥� Kindle Entertainment
Noel McCann 鈥� New Pictures
Tom Melia 鈥� Eleven Film
Ayad Andrews 鈥� Dancing Ledge Productions
Angharad Elen 鈥� Mammoth Screen

Meet the writers and find out more about them over on our blog

The 2021 TV Drama Writers' Programme

For 2021 this highly-respected initiative (now in its seventh year) is partnering thirteen up-and-coming screenwriters with thirteen independent production companies, giving the screenwriters the opportunity to write the first episode of a potential 成人论坛-commissioned original drama series or serial.

During the year-long scheme, the writers will attend masterclasses and workshops with established television writers, production teams and experts in screenwriting, while developing their original script. The process culminates in read-throughs, following which the aim is that the writer鈥檚 series or serial will be taken into full development by the 成人论坛.

The participants in the 2021 TV Drama Writers' programme are:

Tim X Atack 鈥� Hillbilly Films
In-Sook Chappell 鈥� Sugar Films
Celia Morgan 鈥� The Lighthouse Film & TV
Daniel Rusteau 鈥� Element Pictures
Alissa Anne Jeun Yi 鈥� 成人论坛 Studios
Adam Usden 鈥� Moonage Pictures
Amy Trigg 鈥� Eleven Film
Tolula Dada 鈥� Firebird Pictures
Nikesh Shukla 鈥� Hartswood Films
Chlo毛 Mi Lin Ewart 鈥� Dancing Ledge Productions
Anna Mason 鈥� The Forge
Abi Hynes 鈥� New Pictures
Siofra Dromgoole - See-Saw Films

Find out more about them on our blog

The 2020 TV Drama Writers Programme

成人论坛 Writers has announced its writers for the 2020 TV Drama Writers鈥� Programme. In 2020 the unique initiative partners 11 promising screenwriters with 11 independent production companies, giving the emerging scriptwriters the opportunity to write the first episode of a potential 成人论坛-commissioned original series.

Participants in the 2020 programme are:

Bella Heesom 鈥� Firebird Pictures
Catherine Moulton 鈥� Moonage Pictures
Dipo Baruwa-Etti 鈥� Duck Soup Films
Emma Dennis-Edwards 鈥� The Forge
John O鈥橠onovan 鈥� Element Pictures
Leanne Davis 鈥� Heyday Films
Lindsey Alford 鈥� Red Production Company
Melissa Osborne 鈥� 成人论坛 Studios
Naomi Sheldon 鈥� Bad Wolf
Rabiah Hussain 鈥� Clerkenwell Films
Stef Smith 鈥� Dancing Ledge Productions

The 2019 TV Drama Writers Programme

In its fifth year, this unique initiative partnered thirteen promising screenwriters with thirteen independent production companies, giving the emerging scriptwriters the opportunity to write the first episode script of a potential 成人论坛-commissioned original series or serial.

Participants in the 2019 programme are:

Alan McDonald - Bad Wolf
Isis Davis - Balloon Entertainment
Ashish Ghadiali - 成人论坛 Studios London
Robert Evans - 成人论坛 Studios Wales
Danusia Samal - Clerkenwell Films
Daf James - Duck Soup Films
Ella Road - Element Pictures
Jess O鈥橩ane - Forge Entertainment
Susanne Farrell - Hartswood Films
Joseph Charlton - New Pictures
Joe White - STV
Greer Ellison - Two Cities Television
James Price - World Productions Scotland

Find out more on the 成人论坛's Media Centre website

The 2018 TV Drama Writers Programme

Independent companies taking part for the first time in 2018 Bad Wolf, Balloon Entertainment, Clerkenwell Films, Kudos North, Mainstreet Pictures, Sid Gentle Films and Sister Pictures. Previous participants joining again are Element Pictures, LA Productions and World Productions Scotland.

The writers for the fourth 成人论坛 TV Drama Writers鈥� Programme and the production companies where they have been placed are as follows:

Alan Harris 鈥�
Francis Turnly 鈥�
Hamish Wright 鈥�
James Pearson 鈥�
Mario Theodorou 鈥�
Phoebe 脡clair-Powell 鈥�
Rebecca Manley 鈥�
Sarah Page 鈥�
Tallulah Brown 鈥�

The 2017 TV Drama Writers Programme

For the 2017 scheme for the first time, the 成人论坛 Writers worked directly with a wide range of Independent production companies, placing writers with them to have scripts developed. Fourteen new writers from a diversity of backgrounds were chosen from over 800 applications from credited writers.

成人论坛 Writers backed each of the promising screen writers with a script-writing commission, which they developed in collaboration with 成人论坛 Studios and selected independents. The writers attended a Residential and Masterclasses and workshops with established writers and production teams. We are delighted that two scripts have been formally accepted on the 成人论坛 TV Drama slate while others are being considered by commissioners or having further development.