Scripted
A year-long development scheme for Drama writers
I hope my experience shows there is no time limit to honing your skills as a writer, as long as you love what you do.
BBC Writers' Scripted (previously known as Drama Room) is a 1-year writer development scheme for writers identified through our Open Call and other talent searches.
We work with around 12 writers on the Scripted scheme every year, to develop their craft skills and knowledge of the industry. During the first 6 months of the programme, writers receive workshop sessions exploring character, structure, different mediums of storytelling, practical writing exercises as well as industry masterclasses with writers, producers and agents. There are also networking and ad hoc pitching opportunities (often in continuing drama, audio drama and children’s). The writers are paired up with Script Editors for 9 months to develop an original spec' script, which they focus on for the second half of the programme.
The aim of the scheme is to encourage and develop the best in new drama writing and to give these writers the opportunity to build strong connections with producers and help them gain BBC broadcast commissions.
Latest News
We’re very excited to announce the 12 exceptional writers who have been part of our 2024/25 Scripted group!
Find out full details on our blog
The 2025/2026 Scripted group were selected in summer 2025 once we completed the reading from the Open Call which closed in December 2024. Their first session with us took place at the Aesthetica Festival in York in November. We'll announce them towards the end of 2026.
What's it like to be part of Scripted?
We caught up with Cara Loftus to find out more about her time as part of the Scripted writer development group.
Scripted 2024/25
We’re very excited to announce the 12 exceptional writers selected for our 2024/25 Scripted group!
Chosen through our Open Call script submission window, these writers each bring dynamic, fresh voices across a range of genres.
In the first stage of the Scripted programme, the writers attended a series of tailored workshops and masterclasses, with the aim to sharpen their craft and expand their industry insight. In the second phase of the programme, each writer developed an original spec script, working closely with a Script Editor to produce a standout sample they can share with the wider industry.
It was a pleasure to watch these talented writers develop over the last year, we can’t wait to follow their exciting careers!
The twelve writers are:
- Iman Boujelouah
- Tiegan Byrne
- Callum Cameron
- Oliver Doone
- Zia Holloway
- Alannah Lewis
- Jack Maraghy
- Gary Mill
- Himanshu Ojha
- Paul Roberts
- Cathriona Slammon
- Mark Williams
Find out more about the Scripted 2024/25 writers over on our blog
Scripted 2023/24
We are thrilled to introduce the 12 talented writers chosen to join our 2023/24 Scripted group. The writers were identified via our Open Call script submission window which closed in December 2022.
During the first half of the programme, writers engaged in a series of bespoke training sessions designed to hone their craft. This included workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities to connect with industry professionals. In the second phase, the focus shifts to writing their original spec scripts, with each writer receiving personalised guidance from a professional Script Editor, to deliver a sample script that they can share with the industry.
We can’t wait to see the incredible journeys these talented, passionate writers take, as they embark on their next steps!
The twelve writers are:
- Florence Bell
- Alice Clark
- Eva Edo
- Paul Hunt
- James Ley
- Cara Loftus
- Marika McKenell
- Abiola Ogunbiyi
- Liv Parkinson
- Paul Rigby
- Kenton Thomas
- Chloe White
Find out more about the Scripted 2023/24 writers over on our blog
Drama Room 2022/23
We're very pleased to announce the thirteen writers selected to be part of our Drama Room writer development group for 2022/23. They were selected following our Open Call submission window which closed in January 2022.
Across the first six months of the programme, the writers attended targeted training and development, including craft workshops (with practical writing exercises), masterclasses, introductions and networking events. For the latter half of the programme, the focus is on writing, for which they receive the support of a Script Editor for a further six months to develop their original spec' scripts.
We’re excited to see all the amazing things this talented bunch will go on to do!
The thirteen writers are:
- Amy Arnold
- Adam Bennett-Lea
- Rhiannon Boyle
- Sophia Chetin-Leuner
- Mohamed-Zain Dada
- Samuel Evans
- Alan Flanagan
- Daniel Katanchian
- William Mager
- Tom Mair
- Nk'iru. Njoku
- Michael Lee Richardson
- Lily Seriki
Find out more about the Drama Room writers for 2022/23 on our blog
My Reflections on being part of the Drama Room group
Amy Arnold is just completing a year as a member of our 2022/23 Drama Room writer development group. We asked her for her reflections on the experience, including any highlights and top tips that she could share.
Drama Room 2021/22
Following the Open Call submission window which closed in January 2021 the following sixteen writers were chose to be part of Drama Room for 2021/22. The group met for the first time in Manchester in October 2021 and will take part in development sessions both online and in person, before spending six months developing their spec' script with the help of a script editor. These are the writers in the group:
- Alex Riddle
- Alvin Yu
- Benedict Lombe
- Brennig Hayden
- Carlo Kureishi
- Emilie Robson
- Faebian Averies
- Fionnuala Kennedy
- Georgia Affonso
- Gillian McCormack
- Houmi Miura
- Nathan Ellis
- Paris Ventour
- Rosanna Suppa
- Sarah Gordon
- Tim Barrow
Find out more about the Drama Room writers for 2021/22 on our blog
The Latest from Drama Room 2021/22
Georgia Affonso gives us an update on Drama Room 2021/22 (May 2022)
What was it like to be part of the Drama Room writer development group?
Hear from Beru Tessema on our blog. (Nov 2021)
