New commissions for Dave and Gold channels

The Dave and Gold TV channels are to commission a series of half-hour comedy and drama scripts from underrepresented talent across the UK.

Parent company UKTV has launched two initiatives to find new writers, with a commitment to get their work on to screen.

The first is an anthology of four half-hour programmes to be broadcast on Dave and created by  ‘anybody who feels that their voice isn’t currently heard clearly on our screens’.

UKTV is putting out an open call for script samples of ten pages of less for projects that will ‘tell the stories the writers wish to tell, ranging from the comedic to the dramatic’.

Six finalists will receive a paid commission to write a fresh half hour script based on their personal experiences. Four of these scripts will then be selected to be produced and broadcast on Dave, with the potential to secure a full series commission.

Executive Pete Thornton said: ‘This is a truly inclusive initiative, and we want to hear from people from ethnic minorities, those from underserved socio-economic groups, the LGBTQ community, those who identify as having a disability and basically anybody who feels that their voice isn’t currently heard clearly on our screens.

‘We’re offering dedicated support and mentoring over a three-month writing period and then the opportunity to see your show prepped, cast, shot, edited, marketed and broadcast on Dave next year.’

UKTV is working with  TriForce Creative Network to find the scripts. Its chief executive  Fraser Ayres said:  ‘If we’re going to find more Michaela Coels and Tim Renkows we need to develop pathways that provide access - then perhaps those much-needed voices won’t have to traverse so many obstacles to be heard.’

Applications will open at midday on Thursday on Triforce’s WritersSlam platform, and close on March 25.

The second UKTV scheme seeks new female comedy writers.

Under the initiative, the broadcaster will fund ten treatments for new half hour comedies for either Dave or Gold, with the aim of commissioning least three full scripts from those - and possibly turning one or more into a full series. 

 The project has been developed with Comedy 50:50, which is working to ensure half of all comedy writers working in British TV are women.

Pete Thornton, UKTV’s head of scripted programming, said that redressing the gender balance ‘is something I’m aware of every time I go through our development slate’.

He added: ‘I want to make sure that brilliant female writers have their voices more clearly and frequently heard within the body of scripted comedy that’s currently broadcast in the UK each year. 

‘I can’t wait to read the ideas that are going to come in from this initiative, and to get working on the scripts and hopefully full series commissions that will result.

To apply, send ‘top line ideas’, no longer than two paragraphs, along with a five-page writing sample to comedy5050@comedy5050.com by midnight on February 26. The broadcaster says previous experience is not necessary as the scheme involves mentorship.

Published: 16 Feb 2021