We’re funding six writers’ rooms led by experienced showrunners to originate the next big UK sitcom with mainstream appeal.
We’re looking for sitcom treatments from UK based-production companies that have been originated and developed by an accomplished showrunner. The showrunners will each develop their treatment with the support of a room of writers with varying levels of experience, offering a great opportunity to work with both established and new writing talent.
Deliverables will include a detailed series outline and a pilot script written by the showrunner with the guarantee that at least one of these projects goes on to become a filmed pilot in 2024/25.
We’re prioritising comedy proposals with accessible entry points - think Ghosts, Two Doors Down, Motherland and Not Going Out. We’re on the hunt for the types of shows that families and friends can enjoy in multiple helpings - shows with big laughs and a range of characters, in settings and worlds that are grounded and accessible and have the potential to become long running returners.
How to pitch
This opportunity is open to UK production companies only and submissions will close on 30 September 2024.
Treatments must be originated and developed by a showrunner, ie someone who has experience writing a returning television sitcom series.
Pitches should include an in-depth description of the idea, tone, setting and characters, as well as suggestions on who you’d like in the writer’s room.
Please note, your showrunner should be attached at pitch stage.
Proposal should be sent via our ideas submission system PiCoS. Please direct the pitch to the Head of Development with ‘Sitcom Project’ included in the proposal title.
When developing ideas think about
- We consider a showrunner to be someone who has written and delivered a successful returning comedy television sitcom series.
- Originality of premise is less important than characters.
- Setting – sense of place is important, and we’re always looking for shows set out of London, as well as the Nations and English regions.
- Do reference our main brief for the type of ideas and areas we’re interested in.
- We’re interested in ensemble shows that don’t rely on one central character.
- Diversity in cast and portrayal is key - we are interested in shows set outside of London which focus on people from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, and diversity should not be an afterthought during the casting process, but something you think about at every stage of development.
- Workplace sitcoms can work in this space, even if the workplace itself isn’t overt.
- Similarly, we’re keen on family sitcoms. They don't necessarily need to feature an actual family but should have multiple entry points so that they can appeal across generations.
- We don’t do many studio (audience) sitcoms, but when we do they are some of our most successful shows, so if your idea authentically aligns with that format then we’d welcome them!