BBC Continuing Drama Directors' Training Scheme

A camera on a track is in the foreground as a director talks to actors outside the external set of Holby City. An ambulance is in the background — Directing Holby City at BBC Elstree Centre.

The scheme has been a brilliant experience and really well structured, with a mixture of classroom learning and practical experience.
— Afia Nkrumah (Director placement on EastEnders, 2016)

We know how difficult it is to break into TV directing so in 2015 this scheme was created to support early career directors towards their first TV credit on one of the BBC's continuing TV dramas (EastEnders, Casualty, Holby City, Doctors and from 2016 River City).

The aims of the scheme include addressing the under-representation of both female and BAME directors on these shows and within the industry generally.

In its first two years the scheme was run by BBC Writersroom in partnership with Directors' UK and Creative Skillset's High End TV Council. From 2017 the scheme is run by BBC Writersroom funded by BBC Drama and Directors UK and in co-operation with BBC Studios Continuing Drama.

In 2019 the scheme won a Creative Diversity Network Award for Best Partnership

What training is offered?

As part of the scheme each director observes and participates in the entire production process of an episode of their chosen programme, from pre to post production, and ultimately takes the helm for one full episode to gain a directing credit.

The scheme also offers the possibility of employment after training as there is an ambition for the series to hire directors within nine months for a full directorial commission if the director has shown that they can meet the standards required.

It is the ambition of BBC Drama that this will be the first step of an ongoing partnership with each of these directors; and, as their careers develop, so will their relationship with the BBC and the wider television drama community.

What experience do I need and how do I apply?

You must have a track record of directing TV, film or theatre which can be demonstrated via a showreel and/or other supporting materials (e.g. theatre reviews, etc).

Potential candidates for the BBC TV Continuing Drama Directors' Training Scheme must be passionate about their chosen show and should be able to show a solid knowledge of the drama if they are invited to interview. Please make sure you know and watch the show before applying.

Full terms and conditions of entry are published on our website each time the scheme is open for applications. This will be advertised on our Opportunities webpage.

The Creative Diversity Network Award for Best Partnership 2019, awarded to the Continuing Drama Directors' Training Scheme from BBC Writersroom and Diirectors UK

The 2016 BBC Continuing Drama Directors' Training Scheme

Nine directors were successful in gaining placements on BBC Studios’ key dramas Doctors, Holby City, Casualty and, for the first time, River City from over 300 applications.

Doctors: Isher Sahota, Jennie Paddon, Miranda Howard-Williams;
Holby City: Christiana Ebohon-Green, Samantha Harrie;
Casualty: Imogen Murphy, Karen Kelly;
River City: Sacha Kyle, Robin Haig.