Deadline: 2 December 2025
Applications are now open for the BBC Writers to identify and nurture the strongest writing talent with the potential to be developed and produced for BBC broadcast.
The Open Call focuses on writers who can deliver in script form rather than unscripted ideas. The BBC looks for what a script tells about the writer, seeing all scripts as a calling card to showcase talent, ability, and voice. It also considers whether a script has real potential to be developed further towards production.
The BBC Writers Open Call is an opportunity for writers who may be new to the BBC, those with experience in theatre or radio, or writers looking to develop their skills for television or film.
The programme aims to find individuals with distinctive perspectives who can craft engaging, original stories capable of appealing to a broad audience. It is not about commissioning or producing specific projects but about finding and developing talented writers who can be supported through BBC’s development initiatives.
To be eligible, entrants must be at least 18 years old and residents of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Republic of Ireland. Scripts must be original, complete, and written in English. Each entrant can only submit one script, either individually or as part of a writing pair. The BBC does not accept scripts written using AI tools, adaptations, multiple episodes, or scripts for existing BBC shows.
Entries will be judged on the quality of writing, strength of story and structure, ability to write believable dialogue, skill in inhabiting characters and developing convincing relationships between them, ability to authentically bring the world to life, and ability to portray the writer’s voice in their storytelling.
Writers can submit original drama or comedy-drama scripts written for film, TV, radio, or stage that are a minimum of 30 pages long. The submissions are read anonymously, ensuring unbiased assessment throughout the process.
Each script should be the best possible draft, as early or rough versions are not considered. Applicants are also required to submit two short paragraphs: one describing their writing history and another outlining what they hope to gain from the BBC Writers development programme.
The submission process involves several stages: an initial ten-page sift, followed by a thirty-page review, a full read for longlisting, and finally, the BBC Writers team’s shortlisting and interviews. Writers whose scripts reach the final stage will receive a detailed script report and may be invited for interviews to explore further development opportunities. The deadline for submission is 2nd December 2025 at noon.
For more information, visit BBC.
