Four writers from across the North of England have been given a significant career boost after winning this year’s Channel 4 Writing for TV Awards.
The winners were announced at Live Theatre in Newcastle on Thursday evening (October 22), with each receiving a £3,000 bursary, professional mentoring and a long-term placement with an established television production company.
Organised by New Writing North and funded through Channel 4’s 4Skills programme, the awards aim to help emerging writers develop their work and make connections in the television industry.
Among the winners is Geordie writer Lucie Brownlee, who is based in the Tees Valley and will join Merman, the production company behind Catastrophe, Motherland, Amandaland and Bad Sisters.
“As a Geordie writer, it means a huge amount to have this level of industry backing,” she said.
Faye Dorn, head of scripted, Merman, "We're thrilled to be involved with this award and to have the opportunity, alongside Channel 4 and New Writing North, to support the careers of North of England writers.
“We're delighted to be working with the talented Lucie Brownlee."
Manchester comedy writer and performer Soph Galustian, who is of Armenian heritage, has secured a placement with Hat Trick, whose credits include Derry Girls and North East comedy Smoggie Queens.
Liverpool writer and freelance story producer Joe Griffith will work with FilmNation TV UK, which has produced Small Town, Big Story and I Know This Much Is True.
Completing the quartet is Blackpool-born writer Lauren-Nicole Mayes, who will join Warp Films, the company behind Adolescence and This Is England ’90.
Alongside their placements and bursaries, the four writers will take part in peer networking sessions designed to help them establish lasting professional relationships.
The awards form part of wider efforts to develop television writing talent outside London and open doors to an industry in which making the right connections can be as important as having a good script.