Seventeen emerging writers from across the UK have joined Channel 4’s New Writers Scheme, a nine-month programme designed to support new and underrepresented voices in television drama.
The initiative offers writers the opportunity to develop their first pilot episode-spec for TV, with expert guidance and mentoring from scripted indies and a script editor, alongside feedback from Channel 4.
This year, the scheme has expanded to include Northern Ireland, with five writers from the region joining writers based near Channel 4’s regional hubs in Bristol, Glasgow, and Leeds.
The scheme launched this week at Channel 4’s National Headquarters in Leeds, with expert talks from screenwriters Grace-Ofori Attah (Malpractice, Playing Nice) and Helen Black (Time, Life and Death in the Warehouse).
Writers also heard from Channel 4’s Interim Head of Drama Gwawr Lloyd and World Production’s Head of Development and Exec Producer Emma Luffingham, before taking part in two days of bespoke training led by television producer and script editor John Yorke.
The New Writers Scheme is funded and developed by 4Skills with Channel 4 Drama and supported by the BFI NETWORK (Film Hub South West and Film Hub North), alongside support from Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.
Meet the Scotland-based writers
Isla Robertson
Isla Robertson is based on the remote Morvern Peninsula in the Scottish Highlands. She recently completed an MA with distinction in TV Fiction Writing from Glasgow Caledonian University. Previously, she was a recipient of The Playwright’s Studio Scotland New Playwright's Award and part of their mentorship programme where she was mentored by award-winning playwrights Oliver Emanuel and Nicola McCartney. She has also been an associate artist at Mull Theatre where she created How To Swim, a walking audio drama.
Geraldine Lang
Geraldine Lang is a playwright and screenwriter from Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. She was a finalist for BBC’s Alfred Bradley Bursary Award with her feature film script. She is currently being mentored by award-winning playwright Stef Smith through Playwrights’ Studio Scotland and writing a full-length play. She was one of four writers selected for Hampstead Theatre’s inaugural Inspire playwriting programme. She holds an MA in Screenwriting from the University of Manchester.
Geraldine’s short plays have been performed at Theatre503 and in Paines Plough’s Roundabout, and she has written work for BBC 1Xtra and Theatre Centre’s lockdown project ImagiNation.
Eliza Gearty
Eliza Gearty is a writer based in Glasgow drawn to telling character-led stories about the impact of socio-political issues on lives and relationships. Her debut play ABOUT MONEY was staged at Theatre503 and Summerhall during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022, where it won a Scottish Arts Club Theatre Award and was shortlisted for the Saint Andrew’s Playwriting Award. She has been a Breakthrough Writer in Residence at the Traverse Theatre and a BBC Writers Scottish Voice. Eliza is also the author of a novella, On The Doors, published by Speculative Books.
Jaimini Jethwa
Jaimini graduated with a BA (Hons) in Film and Photographic Arts and an MA in Screenwriting at Northern Film School. She gained recognition with her degree film ‘Another Saturday Night’, starring Stephen Graham. She’s worked with National Theatre Scotland, The Royal Lyceum, and Dundee Rep, with her sold-out plays, ‘Last Queen of Scotland', ‘Hindu Times’, Edinburgh Fringe. Member of BBC Scottish Voices, shortlisted, BBC Social, BBC Comedy Collective, and BBC Radio Drama. She performed at The Stand comedy club, shortlisted as Scots Writer of the Year. WFTV Screenwriting Lab 2024. She won an award for Best Documentary. Produced live music content for bands, The View. Currently, she’s writing and directing a short film with Little Pictures.
Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland said: “Channel 4 have once again unearthed some great Scottish talent. We’ve seen firsthand the benefits for some of the past participants of the scheme and hope this year’s writers gain just as much from this invaluable opportunity to develop their craft in the hands of some top indies and the great team at Channel 4.”
Kevin Blacoe, Head of Partnerships & Skills, Nations & Regions at Channel 4, said: “Giving emerging and talented writers the opportunity to grow their craft is written into Channel 4’s DNA. We’re thrilled to be expanding to Northern Ireland this year and work with Northern Ireland Screen, Screen Scotland and the BFI NETWORK to open up new pathways for regional talent.”
More information
Image courtesy of Channel 4.