We are delighted to announce Matthew McDevitt as the winner of the Element Pictures NI Writers Award. Matthew will now be given a paid commission to develop his treatment idea into a pilot script.
Matthew’s idea was selected from an extremely competitive shortlist of four writers/writing partnerships who received a paid treatment commission to develop an original series idea with Element Pictures.
The Award was run by Element Pictures (Normal People, Conversations with Friends, The Favourite) in partnership with BBC Writersroom and BBC Drama Commissioning to uncover stories that haven’t yet been told about Northern Ireland: the emotionally powerful, thought-provoking, inspiring, celebratory, relevant or surprising narratives that reflect the variety and diversity of life in Northern Ireland today – and can also speak to a global audience.
Element Pictures commented:
"Element Pictures were thrilled to partner with BBC Writersroom and BBC Drama Commissioning for this exciting initiative. The standard of work was extremely high and proved what we always knew- that Northern Ireland is brimming with distinctive and exciting writing talent. This made the decision almost impossible, but Matt’s final pitch felt fresh and colourful, and his characters leapt off the page from the outset. We can’t wait to get started."
BBC Writersroom said:
“It’s been incredibly exciting to see such a brilliant range of inspiring ideas and stories reflecting and commenting on life in contemporary Northern Ireland. The BBC Writersroom team have been fortunate to work with Matthew McDevitt across both our Belfast Voices and Drama Room programmes and are delighted to see his success in what was an extremely competitive process.”
Matthew McDevitt said:
"It's an absolute privilege to get to work on a project with Element, who've made some of my favourite Films and Television of recent years. I can't wait to get started."
Matthew McDevitt is a Derry based native who participated in the BBC Writersroom’s 2020 Drama Room scheme. His first BBC commission was a radio comedy-drama, Lock In, starring Conleth Hill, which was broadcast on Radio Ulster and Radio Scotland in 2018. Matthew has also contributed material to all three seasons of Soft Border Patrol, on BBC NI.
Matthew was previously selected for the Belfast Voices writer development scheme.
His other works include, The Greasy Apple, a music mockumentary for Resonance FM; the script for the 3D Installation Talking Heads - as part of his hometown's acclaimed Halloween Festival; and the satirical game-show, Let's Get Quizzical which featured in Bob Slayer's, 'Heroes of the Fringe' and Belfast Comedy Festival 2016 and 2017.
His short story Handy Number (listen on BBC Sounds) was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2021 and performed by Tara Lynne O’Neill. Matthew has recently been commissioned for a half hour comedy pilot entitled Softboiled.
Matthew is represented by Stevie Grace Jackson at Independent Talent.
Read Matthew McDevitt's recent guest blog post for BBC Writersroom, WRITING TODAY - Space to Write
View the Shortlist for the Element Pictures NI Writers Award
View the Longlist for the Element Pictures NI Writers Award
If you would like further information about any of the writers, please feel free to contact writersroom@bbc.co.uk or their agent.
