Netflix And Sky Choose Screenwriters For Bishi K. Ali Talent Programme

Netflix and Sky have selected six screenwriters for the inaugural Bisha K. Ali Talent Programme.

The year-long fellowship which is now at its halfway point, is spearheaded by screenwriter Bisha K. Ali, part of the writing team for the first series of Sex Education, the Head Writer of Marvel Studios' Ms. Marvel and Consulting Producer for Sky Original The Baby. The fellowship aims to give the UK's brightest new voices the opportunity to join a Netflix or Sky writers’ room and receive their first television credit.

Bisha K. Ali said: "I'm so proud to see the creative growth of the talented and driven writers selected for our Screenwriters' Fellowship. The world of screenwriting is a historically difficult one to break into, made even more challenging by the systemic issues within our industry. Our Fellowship doesn’t purport to have all the answers, but we aspire to be a part of the movement towards a more inclusive industry. I know that our spectacular inaugural Fellows have long creative careers ahead of them, and will go on to be vital storytellers across multiple genres and mediums. Remember their names - I'm sure you'll be seeing them again in the credits of your favourite new shows!"

Anne Mensah, VP Netflix Original Series said: "At Netflix, we want to make shows that reflect the world in which we live and develop a more inclusive pipeline of creatives across the UK. True diversity is about whose voices are heard, and whose stories and perspectives are told. Netflix is proud to play a part in helping develop these outstanding up and coming writers and designing a programme that not only tries to remove some of the barriers to entering our industry, but provides the space, time and financial security to help writers develop their craft."

Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO Sky Studios said: "The stories we tell shape our collective understanding of the world so it's critical we open up the closed sphere of screenwriting to as many voices as possible, enabling us to tell untold stories to global audiences. Inspired by Bisha’s vision, we are proud to help break down the barriers and back these six new writers at this early stage of their career."

Applicants had to be dedicated writers with an authentic and original voice and submit a full script to be considered for the Screenwriters Fellowship, which received almost 2,000 entries. The successful fellows include Asad Ullah a queer screenwriter and theatre performer, from Manchester., Daniel T. David an award-winning advertising copywriter, Kayla Hendy a 23-year-old writer from Slough, Kim Taylor a former teacher and freelance writer for the stage and screen, Lewis Wren a 29-year-old playwright and screenwriter based in the North West of England, and Robyn Ahern a writer who has also worked in film development and academia. Fellows have been assigned industry mentors and have participated in workshops and fireside chats with industry luminaries such as Charlie Brooker, Charlie Covell, Kate Herron, Chandni Lakhani and Laurie Nunn.

The Screenwriters Fellowship is part of Netflix and Sky’s broader commitment to improving representation and spreading opportunity right across the UK.