An epic project that on both paper and in reality can only be described as a TV writer's dream.
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 ±«Óãtv.
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’s series or serial will be taken into full development by the ±«Óãtv.
The programme began in 2014 as the Drama Production Writers' Scheme and was run by the ±«Óãtv's in-house Drama Production department. Since 2016 the scheme has been run by ±«Óãtv Writers.
Latest News
±«Óãtv Drama and ±«Óãtv Cymru Wales have announced a new drama co-commission titled . Leeds-based indie Duck Soup Films produced as their first commission for ±«Óãtv One and ±«Óãtv iPlayer. The 4x60’ drama series is created and written by Welsh writer Daf James. Lost Boys and Fairies is Daf’s first original screenplay for the ±«Óãtv with filming taking place in 2023. Daf developed the project with Duck Soup Films as part of ±«Óãtv Writers' TV Drama Writers’ Programme 2019. Daf had previously taken part in the first ever ±«Óãtv Writers Welsh Voices development group.
Lost Boys & Fairies was broadcast on ±«Óãtv One in June 2024.
Are you interested in applying for Pilot?
Applications to be part of Pilot are open every two years. The most recent application window was in September 2023.
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 2023
±«Óãtv Writers has revealed the writers and production companies taking part in our latest Pilot scheme.
For 2023 this prestigious initiative (previously known as the TV Drama Writers’ Programme) is partnering 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 ±«Óãtv-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 aim is that the writer’s series or serial will be taken into full development by the ±«Óãtv.
The participants in Pilot for 2023 are:
- Izzy Mant – Company Pictures
- Jeffrey Aidoo – Greenacre Films
- Danielle Ward – ±«Óãtv Studios
- Sorcha Kurien-Walsh – Hartswood Films
- Liv Hennessy – Moonage Pictures
- Lawrie Doran – Kindle Entertainment
- Noel McCann – New Pictures
- Tom Melia – Eleven Film
- Ayad Andrews – Dancing Ledge Productions
- Angharad Elen – 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 ±«Óãtv-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’s series or serial will be taken into full development by the ±«Óãtv.
The participants in the 2021 TV Drama Writers' programme are:
- Tim X Atack – Hillbilly Films
- In-Sook Chappell – Sugar Films
- Celia Morgan – The Lighthouse Film & TV
- Daniel Rusteau – Element Pictures
- Alissa Anne Jeun Yi – ±«Óãtv Studios
- Adam Usden – Moonage Pictures
- Amy Trigg – Eleven Film
- Tolula Dada – Firebird Pictures
- Nikesh Shukla – Hartswood Films
- Chloë Mi Lin Ewart – Dancing Ledge Productions
- Anna Mason – The Forge
- Abi Hynes – New Pictures
- Siofra Dromgoole - See-Saw Films
The 2020 TV Drama Writers Programme
±«Óãtv Writers has announced its writers for the 2020 TV Drama Writers’ 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 ±«Óãtv-commissioned original series.
Participants in the 2020 programme are:
- Bella Heesom – Firebird Pictures
- Catherine Moulton – Moonage Pictures
- Dipo Baruwa-Etti – Duck Soup Films
- Emma Dennis-Edwards – The Forge
- John O’Donovan – Element Pictures
- Leanne Davis – Heyday Films
- Lindsey Alford – Red Production Company
- Melissa Osborne – ±«Óãtv Studios
- Naomi Sheldon – Bad Wolf
- Rabiah Hussain – Clerkenwell Films
- Stef Smith – 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 ±«Óãtv-commissioned original series or serial.
Participants in the 2019 programme are:
- Alan McDonald - Bad Wolf
- Isis Davis - Balloon Entertainment
- Ashish Ghadiali - ±«Óãtv Studios London
- Robert Evans - ±«Óãtv Studios Wales
- Danusia Samal - Clerkenwell Films
- Daf James - Duck Soup Films
- Ella Road - Element Pictures
- Jess O’Kane - Forge Entertainment
- Susanne Farrell - Hartswood Films
- Joseph Charlton - New Pictures
- Joe White - STV
- Greer Ellison - Two Cities Television
- James Price - World Productions Scotland
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 ±«Óãtv TV Drama Writers’ Programme and the production companies where they have been placed are as follows:
- Alan Harris –
- Francis Turnly –
- Hamish Wright –
- James Pearson –
- Mario Theodorou –
- Phoebe Éclair-Powell –
- Rebecca Manley –
- Sarah Page –
- Tallulah Brown –
The 2017 TV Drama Writers Programme
For the 2017 scheme for the first time, the ±«Óãtv 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.
±«Óãtv Writers backed each of the promising screen writers with a script-writing commission, which they developed in collaboration with ±«Óãtv 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 ±«Óãtv TV Drama slate while others are being considered by commissioners or having further development.
These are the 14 writers who took part in the 2017 scheme and the Indies where they were placed:
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- Mariam Bell -
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- , Lucia Haynes -
The 2016 TV Drama Writers Programme
The writers on the 2016 scheme were:
- Jon Brittain
- Jake Brunger
- James Fritz
- Sarah Hehir
- Emer Kenny
- Benjamin Kuffuor
- Nessah Muthy
- Morgan Lloyd Malcolm
- Eoin McNamee
- Eoin O'Connor
- Evan Placey
- Becky Prestwich
The 2014 Drama Production Writers Scheme
The writers on the 2014 scheme were:
- Abby Ajayi
- Ishy Din
- Vicky Donoghue
- Ed Hime
- Louise Ironside
- Anna Jordan
- Arinze Kene
- Jonathan Neil
- Nicholas Pierpan
Do you have a question about Pilot that isn’t answered on this page?
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News and updates on our blog
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What happened on the TV Drama Writers' Programme?
Leanne Davis sums up the 2020/21 scheme over on our blog. -
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