The BBC has revealed the writers and production companies taking part in this year’s 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 BBC-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 BBC.
The participants in the 2021 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 – BBC 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
Daniel Rusteau is a writer and playwright from London who is currently a member of the writersroom for the Showtime series SHAKA: KING OF THE ZULU NATION (Fuqua Films/Illusionarium/Propgate/CBS). He was recently a member of the writersroom for the neo-noir detective series MIDDLE WEST (Outlier Society/Point Grey/Amazon), he has written two episodes of HOLLYOAKS (Lime/Ch4) and his half-hour film SUPERDAD for the anthology series ON THE EDGE (BlackLight TV/Ch4) is shooting this spring.
He is adapting for TV the novel THE DIVINITIES by Parker Bilal for See-Saw Films and has projects in development with Film Nation, World Productions, Beano Productions, Headline Productions, West Road Productions and Blacklight Television. His crime drama TV script THE BOROUGH made the 2019 Brit List and his play THE ONES WE LOVE was shortlisted for the Soho Theatre Tony Craze Award 2021.
He participated in the BBC Writersroom London Voices Scheme 2018/19 and is currently on the BBC Studios Writers’ Workshop with John Yorke.