CAMARADERIE
Netflix and Sky have revealed the six screenwriters selected for the inaugural year-long Bisha K. Ali Screenwriting Talent Programme.
“Ms. Marvel” (pictured above) Head Writer Bisha K. Ali leads the program, which has seen nearly 2,000 applicants for six spots. The final six chosen were Asad Ullah, Daniel T. David, Kayla Hendy, Kim Taylor, Lewis Wren and Robyn Ahern.
“The world of screenwriting has historically been difficult to break into, made even more difficult by the systemic issues within our industry,” Ali said. “Our fellowship doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but we aspire to be part of the movement toward a more inclusive industry.”
Applicants were required to submit a full script and, as part of the program, will be assigned a mentor and able to have one-on-one discussions with industry heavyweights including Charlie Brooker, Charlie Covell, Kate Herron, Chandni Lakhani and Laurie. Nunn.
RENEWAL
Channel 4
Channel 4 has renewed prison drama “Screw” for a second season.
With Nina Sosanya (“His Dark Materials”), Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (“Derry Girls”), Faraz Ayub (“Line of Duty”), Stephen Wight (“I May Destroy You”), Ron Donachie (“Titanic ”), and Laura Checkley (“King Gary”), the STV Studios-produced series “promises to be bigger, bolder and more dangerous than ever” when it returns to cinemas at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.
“We are delighted to welcome back the staff and prisoners of C Wing,” said Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama at Channel 4. “Rob has created an iconic Channel 4 prison series with a fantastic cast and we look forward to returning to the drama, humanity and humor of life behind bars in series two.”
“Screw” is distributed worldwide by Banijay Rights, which has already sold the series to BritBox in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand and Spanish SVOD service Filmin. Canada’s TELUS snapped up seasons one and two.
The series was commissioned by Hollick and Channel 4 editor Gemma Boswell and created by Rob Williams, who is also lead writer and executive producer. Roanne Bardsley and Ciara Conway are also writers for the series while Sarah Brown is producing for STV and Nick Lambon is producing.