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Welcome

We are BBC Studios TalentWorks. We identify and develop emerging talent who are interested in writing on our drama series, creating new show ideas, and building production experience with BBC Studios.

Screenwriting opportunities

For aspiring drama writers, our Writers’ Studio: Soap and Writers’ Studio: Cosy Crime offer the opportunity to learn the ropes on our long-running drama series, with a view to being commissioned on EastEnders, Casualty, River City, or our cosy crime shows.

We also run The Writer Spotlight, which shines a light on rising stars in drama and comedy writing. Every year, BBC Studios chooses up to 8 drama and 4 comedy screenwriters that we believe have what it takes to create an original series. The selected writers are invited to our annual writer retreat and receive dedicated training and mentorship from leading producers as they develop a script with BBC Studios.

Writers trained by BBC Studios have gone on to write for shows including Killing Eve, The Crown, The Last Kingdom, and Doctor Who, and have created original series such as Father Brown, The Victim and You & Me.

Creators in Residence

Across Factual genres we produce and host the Creators in Residence programme, as well as presenter training days, retreats and much more, to help provide new talent with the skills to reach their potential. Whether it’s working with YouTube stars Dan Howell and Phil Lester, launching Di’s Salon for Radio 1, or co-producing PRESSED for Radio 1Xtra, our team partners with some of the most exciting talent around.

Previous alumni include Basma Khalifa, who worked with Louis Theroux’s indie production company Mindhouse; Ajay Tegala, who finished his placement with BBC Studios Natural History Unit presenting a segment on BBC Two’s Springwatch; and Layla Wright, who developed and presented Panorama: The Champions League Final: What Went Wrong?

Production & Editorial training

BBC Studios Drama programmes offer a unique opportunity to upskill the next generation of editorial and production talent. From our River City Academy to placements across our soaps and cosy crime shows, our production opportunities offer practical on-the-job training and a route into a career in scripted drama.

Want to hear more about TalentWorks?

Listen to The TalentWorks Podcast