To celebrate BBC Drama in 2020 we've gathered together a collection of scripts from shows which were broadcast across the year, many of which are newly available.
We would like to thank all the writers and production companies for their generosity in giving their permission to make these scripts available.
You can read over 700 other scripts in our ever-growing online Script Library.
Us
Three weeks, six countries - one divorce? Sometimes you need to spend time together to see why you're falling apart.
Adapted by David Nicholls from his own hit novel, Us was broadcast on BBC One beginning on 20th September (and was a bittersweet reminder of the great cities of Europe, during a year when travel was so restricted by Covid). Us is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
- Us - read the scripts by David Nicholls
- David Nicholls introduces Us on our blog
- Listen to David Nicholls on our Ask the Write Questions podcast where all the questions come from the audience
The Salisbury Poisonings
In March 2018 Salisbury became the site of an unprecedented national emergency. This three-part dramatisation focuses on the extraordinary heroism shown by the local community. The Salisbury Poisonings was broadcast on BBC One over three consecutive nights from 14-16 June 2020 and is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Noughts and Crosses
In a dystopian London, Sephy and Callum fall in love despite the odds. Can they breach the divide between the black elite and white underclass?
Based on Malorie Blackman's novels Noughts and Crosses was broadcast on BBC One beginning on 5th March 2020.
- Noughts and Crosses - read the scripts by Lydia Adetunji, Nathaniel Price and Rachel De-Lahay.
The Nest
A couple find out how far they are willing to go to have a baby. Emotional thriller about love, trust and the true cost of buying whatever you want. The Nest is set in Scotland and stars Martin Compston and Sophie Rundle. It was broadcast on BBC One from 22nd March 2020.
- The Nest - read the scripts by Nicole Taylor
Roadkill
An embattled Tory politician tries to leave his past behind. Political thriller by David Hare. Roadkill was broadcast on BBC One beginning on 18th October 2020 and is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
- Roadkill - read the script for Episode 3 by David Hare
Industry
Prove your worth. Five graduates want a job at a top investment bank - but the boundaries between colleague, lover and enemy blur. A stylish take on a world you think you know. Industry was broadcast on BBC Two beginning on 10th November 2020 and from 9th November on HBO. Industry is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer and has been renewed for a second series.
- Industry - read the script for Episode 4 by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay
Our Girl
Drama following the extraordinary adventures of female medics in the British Army. New in our script library are the scripts for the final series, series 4 of Our Girl which was broadcast on BBC One beginning on 24th March 2020. You can watch the complete Our Girl on BBC iPlayer.
- Our Girl - read the scripts - Our Girl was created by Tony Grounds
- Our Girl - An interview with the show's creator, Tony Grounds - on the BBC Writersroom blog
Silent Witness
Forensic pathologists face personal and professional challenges in a moody, tense thriller that moves from the crime scene to the lab. Silent Witness returned for its 23rd series beginning on 7th January 2020. New in our Script Library are four scripts from Series 21 and 23 by Timothy Prager, alongside a selection of scripts from previous series. Production of Series 24 is underway. You can watch nearly all the previous series now on BBC iPlayer.
- Silent Witness - read a selection of scripts by various writers
Casualty
Continuing drama series about the staff and patients at Holby City Hospital's emergency department.
New in the selection of Casualty scripts available in our Script Library is the Rose d'Or nominated episode by Charlie Swinbourne and Sophie Woolley, who were part of our Writers' Access Group. The episode was broadcast on 11th July 2020 and is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Doctor Who
My Left Nut
Teenager Mick discovers a swelling on his testicle and tries to ignore it. After all, there’s an upside to rumours about the bulge in your trousers going around school.
My Left Nut was released on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on 1st March 2020 and is still available to watch. My Left Nut won Best Drama at The 2020 Royal Television Society Northern Ireland Awards and was nominated for Best Drama at The 2020 Broadcast Digital Awards.
- My Left Nut - read the scripts by Michael Patrick & Oisín Kearney
- Find out more in an interview with the writers who were part of our Belfast Voices writer development group
In My Skin
The coming of age story of 16 year old Bethan as she deals with the comical but painfully real anxieties and insecurities of teenage life.
Following the success of its pilot episode, which was released on BBC Three in October 2018, In My Skin went on to a full series of five episodes which were released on BBC Three on 29th March 2020. You can watch the whole series on BBC iPlayer.
- In My Skin - read the scripts by Kayleigh Llewellyn
Death in Paradise
Read a selection of scripts from Death in Paradise from Series 1 through to Series 9 (broadcast from 9th January 2020), new in the script library in 2020. You can watch the complete Death in Paradise on BBC iPlayer. Death in Paradise returns for its 10th series from 7th January 2021.
- Death in Paradise - read a selection of scripts by various writers
Read over 700 other scripts from TV and Radio Drama and Comedy in our script library
Have you been inspired by reading these scripts? BBC Writersroom's annual script submission window (Script Room) is open now until 5pm on Wednesday 6th January.
Find out full details
