Channel 4 has named 17 emerging writers from across the UK to join its New Writers Scheme.
The 9-month programme has been designed to support new and underrepresented voices in television drama and helps them develop their first pilot episode spec for screen – alongside mentoring from scripted indies.
Out of the 17, 8 have come from the North of England and Scotland.
“Giving emerging and talented writers the opportunity to grow their craft is written into Channel 4’s DNA,” said Kevin Blacoe, Head of Partnerships & Skills, Nations & Regions at Channel 4.
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.
“We’re very proud of the scheme – now returning for its third year – which is connecting us with writers from across the UK and helping them gain experience in the industry,” added Gwawr Lloyd, Interim Head of Drama at Channel 4.
“We wish them all the best on the scheme and are really excited to see how their ideas evolve and take shape over the coming months.”
READ MORE – Northern writers get Channel 4 backing
The Scottish writers are:
Isla Robertson, who’s 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.
Geraldine Lang a playwright and screenwriter from Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. 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 holds an MA in Screenwriting from the University of Manchester.
Eliza Gearty, a writer based in Glasgow drawn to telling character-led stories about the impact of socio-political issues on lives and relationships. She has been a Breakthrough Writer in Residence at the Traverse Theatre and a BBC Writers Scottish Voice. She is also the author of a novella, On The Doors.
Jaimini Jethwa 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. Currently, she’s writing and directing a short film with Little Pictures.
“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,” said Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland.
In the North of England the following writers are on the scheme:
Mahmut Mahmut, a Liverpool-based screenwriter with a background in anthropology and theatre, having worked as a reader for the Liverpool Everyman. A three-time winner of the Scriptwriters & Co short script prize, he has a passion for crafting character-led genre fiction, particularly in sci-fi, horror, and romance.
Lara Orriss earned an English Literature and Creative Writing BA from Lancaster University, a Screenwriting MA from the University of Manchester, and achieved a place on the Channel 4 Production Training Scheme. She spent time as an Assistant Script Editor for Hollyoaks, and now works as a Researcher for Emmerdale.
Gomolemo Nyakile is a South African writer and filmmaker based in West Yorkshire. A graduate of The Northern Film School, his Sky Arts short The Last Day screened at Manchester Lift-Off and Cambridge Short Film Festival. In 2024, he joined Screen Yorkshire’s Beyond Brontës programme to further develop his screenwriting voice.
Omari Swanston – Jeffers an artist, educator and director of arts production company Ol’ Man Swanny. Specialising in dance, directing and literature, his directing career began with the Leeds Playhouse in 2015. Swanston holds a First Class BA in Creative Writing and a Master’s in Education.
