Writers get creative with Channel 4

A number of writing projects have been shared by the broadcaster this week…

Today Channel 4 announced they and Northern Ireland Screen have selected three half-hour comedy scripts to be written as part of the broadcaster’s Comedy Lab in Northern Ireland, offering a major opportunity for writers to develop bold, distinctive comedy projects.

The three scripts commissioned are, Socially Awkward; Written by Emer Maguire and developed with Chris Jones and Chris Martin at Nice One Productions / Indie Movie Company. Devolved; Written by Séamas O’Reilly and developed with Brian J. Falconer at Out of Orbit and Mommune; Written by Leesa Harker and developed with Louise Gallagher at Hat Trick (Northern Ireland).

In Socially Awkward, when socially awkward bereavement counsellor Emer is diagnosed as autistic she loses everything. The only thing she gains is clumsy assistance dog Dougal, who seems to have more issues than she does. Together, Emer and Dougal try to survive and thrive in a journey that is always funny and full of heart while with Devolved the story is an absurd glimpse at the dysfunction and disharmony of Stormont, showing the mysterious business of devolved government, of all government, through a bitingly satirical lens. A workplace comedy about people who hate work and rarely govern.

And in Mommune three lonely and isolated single mothers move into a large, old house together, sharing bills, childcare and lives in what becomes a functional, dysfunctional family.

Earlier this week Channel 4 also officially opened applications for its New Writers Scheme, which gives unrepresented, new writers looking for their first TV writing credit the chance to develop and nurture their skills. Over the course of nine months, up to 20 writers will benefit from expert industry training and masterclasses, as well as mentoring from designated script editors, indie mentors, and contact with the Channel 4 commissioning team.

The scheme is open to emerging writers from the UK’s Nations & Regions based near one of Channel 4’s Hubs in Bristol, Glasgow, and Leeds, and has also expanded to Northern Ireland this year. The deadline for applications for the scheme is Wednesday 25 June 2025. For full details and how to apply, visit Channel 4 Careers – 4Skills.

4Screenwriting alumni have gone on to write for shows such as Hollyoaks / Lime Pictures / E4

The public service broadcaster also announced yesterday the twelve talented writers who have won coveted places on the drama screenwriting course, 4Screenwriting. Now in its fifteenth year, Channel 4 pairs an aspiring writer with an experienced script editor and works with them on a series or serial pilot script over a five-month period.

Previous 4Screenwriting alumni have gone forward to write on multiple Channel 4 drama shows including Hollyoaks and Ackley Bridge to name just a couple. Recent alumni from the course who have created and written their own network shows include William Mager – Reunion, Catherine Moulton – Code of Silence, Grace Ofori-Attah – Malpractice (S1&2), Playing Nice, Charlie Covell – Kaos, Anna Symon – Joan, Cat Jones – The Jetty, Nathaniel Price – Mr Loverman and Chandni Lakhani – Department Q.

This year, the twelve writers who were selected and have completed the course are Christopher Adams, Amy Arnold, Saskia Ashdown, Rhys Bevan, Ella Godfrey, Sarah Grochala, Mpona Lebajoa, En-Yu Li, Mads McRae, Liberty Mosse, Rory Platt and Tamsin Rees.

A further nine writers were also recognised. As part of the scheme, they were partnered and mentored by someone working within the industry, Shola Asante (mentored by Jon Champion), Vito Bruno (mentored by Josephine Frankel), Nicole Darvill-Batten (mentored by Emily Grimshaw), Medeni Griffiths (mentored by Matthew Hirons), Indigo Hinton (mentored by Sam Cormor), Malaika Kegode (mentored by Victoria Asare-Archer), Neevon Khayati-Daryan (mentored by Roxy Cook), Antonia Tam (mentored by Maya Yousif) and Tom Ward-Thomas (mentored by Sam Tomlinson).

The 4Screenwriting course is open to applicants without a screenwriting credit and provides the opportunity to work with a dedicated script editor to write an original script. Entries for the 2026 4Screenwriting course will be open in September.