15/07/2025 - Head of new writing Jessica Loveland detailed how the UK’s national broadcaster is supporting emerging and established writers

On 9 July, as part of the Small Screen Forum programme at KVIFF Industry Days, the presentation “Making Room for New Stories: The BBC Approach to Writer Development” was hosted by Jessica Loveland, head of new writing at BBC Writers and Drama Commissioning.

“We're a development team of 15, working at the very heart of BBC drama and based across the whole of the UK. We're part of the BBC drama commissioning family. Our focus is on discovering, developing and championing both new and experienced writers. We don't exclusively work with very new writers, as we also welcome those who have some experience, or even a lot.” Her team provides these scribes with “a safe place for them to learn their craft, take risks and experiment”.

Loveland explained that they work with about 150 writers each year, with their bases located in London, Salford, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. “There has been a need to decentralise things out of London for several years in the UK, and we’re trying to follow that path.”

At BBC Writers, they work with both BBC Studios and independent production companies, as well as being involved with radio stations, children’s content, short films and online content, among other things. “That's the beauty of the BBC: it's so big that we can channel writers down their own personal pathways throughout their careers,” she stated. “Our work is about talent development; we're here to upskill writers. So, we're not commissioners, although we do commission some short forms.”

Their open call runs from November to December, and it’s aimed at writers who have written a 30-page script, spanning different formats and genres. “We get about 6,000 scripts every year, and the number keeps rising over time. Every year, the standard is also getting higher, but it's obviously very competitive. Around 100 writers will be able to work with us in our writer development programmes after selection.” In order to apply, participants have to be UK or Republic of Ireland residents.

“That’s not the only way writers can engage with us,” Loveland said, describing their script library, which features over 1,000 produced BBC drama, comedy and film scripts. New blog posts are published weekly, covering topics linked to TV writing and production, with practical advice coming from agents, producers and seasoned writers.

Overall, their offer is broad and includes different sections, each with its own specific characteristics. Scripted and Voices are the two programmes that recruit through the open call. The former can expect to count around 12 participants and is aimed at more experienced writers. It was previously known as Drama Room. Voices, on the other hand, welcomes 70 newcomers and lasts for six months on a yearly basis.

The Writers’ Access Group is a programme for deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent writers, lasting 18 months. Pilot (formerly the TV Drama Writers' Programme) runs every two years, offering ten to 15 screenwriters the chance to write the first episode of a potential original series or serial for the BBC. “They’re talents who've got agent representation and whom we believe to be exciting voices that we think drama commissioners are going to be really excited about in the future – so we partner them with independent production companies,” Loveland noted.

Finally, there is a regional programme called Write Across, launched in 2022, with a focus on specific areas of the UK in order to identify new talents and grant them accessible entry points to the BBC.

Loveland ended her presentation by naming some BBC Writers alumni: Tony Schumacher, Emma Dennis-Edwards, Nathaniel Price, Amy Trigg, Charlie Swinbourne and Daf James. For instance, Schumacher, a member of the Voices group, went on to create the acclaimed Liverpool-set TV series The Responder, starring Martin Freeman. The concept was inspired by Schumacher’s own background as a police officer.