Northern talent takes centre stage in TV awards

Four emerging television writers from across the North of England are set to take the next step in their careers after securing prestigious awards offering financial support, industry mentoring and placements with leading production companies.

The winners of the Channel 4 Writing for TV Awards 2026 were announced at a special ceremony at Live Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday (Thursday, October 22).

Delivered through a partnership between Channel 4 and Newcastle-based writing development agency New Writing North, the awards aim to help talented northern writers break into the television industry and develop their careers.

Each winner will receive a £3000 bursary, professional mentoring, a long-term placement with an established television production company and opportunities to build industry connections through peer networking sessions.

Funded by Channel 4’s 4Skills training and development initiative, the programme has recognised four writers from Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool and Blackpool.

Geordie writer Lucie Brownlee, who is based in the Tees Valley, will undertake a placement with Merman, the production company behind Catastrophe, Motherland, Amandaland and Bad Sisters.

Lucie said: “As a Geordie writer, it means a huge amount to have this level of industry backing.”

Manchester comedy writer and performer Soph Galustian, who is of Armenian heritage, will join Hat Trick, known for programmes including Derry Girls and Smoggie Queens.

Soph added: “Coming from a working-class background, opportunities like this can genuinely change the trajectory of a career.”

Liverpool-based freelance story producer and writer Joe Griffith will work with FilmNation TV UK, whose credits include Small Town, Big Story and I Know This Much Is True.

Joe said: “I’m thrilled that FilmNation, Channel 4 and New Writing North saw something in that script and I’m so excited to be developing my project with them.”

Completing the winning line-up is Blackpool-born writer Lauren-Nicole Mayes, who will undertake a placement with Warp Films, the company behind Adolescence and This Is England ’90.

Lauren-Nicole added: “Creating salty worlds with salty characters is something I want to do for the rest of my life.

“So, to win an award that celebrates bold storytelling and distinctive voices is a real career moment for me.”

Established in 2014, the awards form part of New Writing North’s Northern Writers’ Awards programme and are designed to give emerging screenwriters opportunities to develop their work alongside experienced television professionals.

They also sit within a wider Talent Development Partnership between Channel 4 and New Writing North, which includes a new Screen Development Slate supporting writers as they prepare projects for submission to the television industry.

The slate, led by New Writing North’s senior programme manager for screen Roxy McKenna, will support five additional writers: Sammy Ali, from Liverpool; Jack Benjamin Gill, from St Helens; Laura MacFarlane, from Manchester; Muj Shah, from Bradford; and Elijah Young, from South Tyneside.

Kevin Blacoe, head of partnerships and skills at Channel 4, added: “The Channel 4 Writing for TV Awards are all about finding and backing exceptional new writing talent from across the North of England.

“Through 4Skills, we’re committed to helping break down barriers to the industry and creating opportunities for talented people from a wide range of backgrounds.

“We’re delighted to be working with New Writing North and our production partners to support these writers at such an important stage in their careers, and we look forward to seeing where their talent takes them next.”

Will Mackie, senior programme manager for talent development at New Writing North, added: “Our TV awards exist to identify and support four of the most promising new screenwriters.

“Lucie, Joe, Soph and Lauren-Nicole’s scripts are driven by compelling drama and brought to life through unforgettable characters.

“At a time when we need solace, imagination, and dialogue more than ever, these four brilliant writers demonstrate how intriguing human stories lead to incredible scripts.”

The awards have previously supported writers who have gone on to work on programmes including Doctor Who, Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road.

Among former recipients are Sharma Angel-Walfall, who has written for Doctor Who and Dreamland, and Luke Delaney, whose credits include Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road.

Organisers say the continued partnership with production companies Merman, Hat Trick, FilmNation TV UK and Warp Films will help ensure northern voices are represented in television storytelling while giving emerging writers a route into an increasingly competitive industry.

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