Writing for TV Shows

[Detectivefictionfan]

I wish I could write for Dr Who but know they don't accept scripts that are unsolicited. How would some one start submitting scripts for TV Shows that they watch?

Not answering your question but Channel 4 and the BBC both run annual teleplay writing competitions that lead to participation on new writers' development schemes. I think Channel 4 is around September and BBC might be January.

I think the daytime soap Doctors used to be the BBCs testing ground for new writers but if you want to try for programmes you love then perhaps polish a spec script and send to the producer/showrunner.

Good luck.

You need to have been writing for years before you can be accepted for 50-minute/1-hour drama like 'Casualty', 'Silent Witness' or 'Doctor Who'. I gather from a friend that 'Doctor Who' is seen as the most difficult show to write for -- even though it might look deceptively easy and formulaic. Also with 'Doctor Who' about half the 8-10 episodes a series (or more) are written by the showrunner, so they have at most 5 slots for freelancers in every series.

Most TV writers start out applying for one of the BBC/Channel 4 writing comps or courses out there, and it's useful to have a 'calling card' script which is entirely something of your own, with original characters. The first rung on the ladder is usually the 20/30 minute dramas and that means soaps, essentially: now that 'The Bill' is no more it's 'Doctors', 'Coronation Street', 'EastEnders' etc. The jump from shorter to longer episode drama is huge and some people never make it. I know people who have been writing 'Doctors' for years.

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/entries/63061c57-f51f-47db-aa32-2920680c2cc7

This is open now for would be tv screen writers.