Introducing the 2017 BBC Writersroom Drama Room

Following our last open submission Script Room window for drama scripts, which closed back in January, and other talent searches we are delighted to introduce the nineteen writers from across the UK and Republic of Ireland who will be taking part in our 2017 Drama Room development group.

The Drama Room is a six-month scheme which runs once a year in rotation with the Comedy Room and offers targeted training and development including workshops, masterclasses, introductions and networking events. The aim of the scheme is to encourage and develop the best in new drama writing and to give these writers the opportunity to build strong connections with producers and help them gain BBC broadcast commissions.

The group first got together a few weeks ago to attend our TV Drama Writers' Festival at Stratford Circus in East London and next meet up this week for an intensive workshop on story structure with John Yorke, the former head of BBC Drama Production and of Channel 4 Drama. Subsequent workshops will include TV Drama, Radio Drama, Children's and Continuing Drama.

The nineteen writers are:

• Adura Onashile
• Alan Harris
• Alyn Farrow
• Amy Ng
• Berri George
• Dan Pick
• Daniel Hopewell
• Emma Jowett
• Hayley Wareham
• Henry Darke
• Jimmy Osborne
• Kamal Kaan
• Katherine Soper
• Lisa Keogh
• Lori King
• Oonagh Kearney
• Rachel Smith
• Somalia Seaton
• Stef Smith

We are really looking forward to working with the group, and wish them every success for the future.

Find out more about the Drama Room and read blogs by last year's writers