BBC Writers' Open Call

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 Full details 

Rather than accepting scripts year-round, we have distinct submission windows for scripts which are announced on the BBC Writers Opportunities page during the year. Each Open Call has a deadline, following which the scripts received are assessed intensively by our script readers and the BBC Writers team, and a shortlist drawn up. We then offer various opportunities for the shortlisted group of writers including our Scripted and Voices development groups.

Open Call is currently closed. The next submission window will be open between Tuesday 4th November 2025 at noon and Tuesday 2nd December 2025 at noon.

 

Help: Any Questions?

Our Open Call window will open for submissions from 12 noon on Tuesday 4th November until 12 noon on Tuesday 2nd December 2025.

Would you like to know more about the opportunity? Planning on submitting and want some advice on your final polish? 

Writer Drop Ins

We'll be running two drop-in sessions during the submission window for any questions you may have:

Tuesday 11th November, 12:30 - 13:00 (with BSL interpretation)

Thursday 27th November, 17:00 – 17:30

No need to register, just join at the allotted time using this link: https://zoom.us/webinar/99401909978

 

Open Call

Why do we run an Open Call for script submissions?

Our Open Call is not a competition but a means by which the BBC seeks out the best writing talent. We look for writers with the strongest potential to be developed and produced for BBC broadcast. You could be new to writing or new to the BBC but equally, you may be a playwright looking to write for TV, or you’ve written for radio drama and would like to try your hand at writing for CBBC. We understand that carving a career as a writer takes time and that each writer’s development needs will be different. We receive many thousands of scripts every year and can only focus on the writers who we feel have the most potential.

Find out more on 'How we find and develop writers'

What do we look for?

In our Open Call we are not looking for projects to commission or produce. We are looking for writers to develop rather than specific projects. We look for what the script tells us about the writer. We see all scripts as a calling card to showcase a writer’s talent, ability, and voice.

We are especially looking for distinctive voices - and scripts that express those voices. We do not look for more of the same – we look for the writer’s ability to pull an audience into a world and hold them in it. It’s not necessarily about finding precincts or situations that have ‘never been done before’ but having an original take on stories that have the potential to have wide breadth of appeal.

We are looking for characters who are well rounded and consistent and who drive the narrative rather than serve it. We are looking for a sense of storytelling ability - handling of pace, climax, mood. We are looking to unearth the treasures, the page-turners, the new perspectives, the engaging dialogue and the surprising character creations.

We want to find that special something that makes us want to read more.

We look for what a writer can deliver in script form rather than unscripted ideas. We want to see the best possible draft you can achieve. We are not looking for early/first/rough drafts of scripts. Only submit a script to our Open Call when your script is ready, even if it means waiting for a later submission window.

We may also consider whether a script has real potential to be developed further towards production. If we believe a script could be developed further by a BBC department, we will send it to them with the writer's knowledge. Original scripts written “on spec” are produced extremely rarely, and writers should not send them in with the expectation that they will be produced. However, original spec' scripts are the means by which writers get noticed, so you should always write your script with the same level of commitment as if it were for production.

What should you submit?

In our Open Call we accept:

• Drama or Comedy/Drama scripts written for Film, TV, Radio, Stage or Children’s TV/Radio scripts which are a minimum of 30 pages long (excluding title/character pages).

• Scripts will be read anonymously i.e. without a name attached, until after the full-read stage so please remove any personal details (name, address, contacts etc) from the front page of the script or within the document itself.

• A paragraph about your writing history (max. 250 words). You do not need to have any credits or professionally produced work, we just want to understand your passion for writing.

• A paragraph on what you hope to get out of our writer development programme (max. 250 words).

To help writers prepare their Open Call application before submitting, we’ve provided a downloadable document detailing the steps of the process. Click on the link below:

Open Call: E-Submissions Application Preview

Please note this list is only for reference. You’ll still need to complete your application via the BBC E-Submissions system which also includes sections on data usage and equality monitoring. To see a preview of how the application form looks within the E-submissions system please watch the video available on our E-Submissions: Help & FAQs page

Watch the Help Video - Entering an Opportunity 

Entries must be written in English. If you submit any part of a script in another language you must also include your own translation of this into English. Your application must be legibly typed and formatted.

Read the Medium and Format guidelines for more guidance.

Please note: All writing software will come with its own user guidelines. We cannot offer technical support for third party software.

Read the Open Call Terms and Conditions for further details on what we accept.

What do we not accept?

We do not accept any of the following:

• Scripts from overseas – we are looking for writers with whom the BBC can develop a strong working relationship and who have something to say that will appeal to British audiences. You may be a non-British-born writer, but you must be resident in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Republic of Ireland.

• Scripts from writers under the age of 18.

• Submissions by email or post – when our Open Call is open for submissions, we can only accept scripts online via our E-Submissions system. Postal submissions are not possible under any circumstances.

• Scripts previously submitted to our Open Call (or Script Room) opportunity, including resubmissions of work which has since been re-written and further episodes of a series or serial which has previously been submitted. This also covers submissions sent when we were previously branded 'BBC Writersroom'.

• Ideas, pitches, outlines, synopses, or treatments on their own – we must always receive a script with every submission. Samples or extracts from scripts are not eligible either. We want to see a full script or episode.

• Multiple episodes or separate short scripts which together add up to 30 pages or more of script.

• Multiple submissions from an entrant.

• DVDs, videos, CDs, audio tapes, or any video/audio material (whether it accompanies a script or otherwise). Any links to video/audio content will not be considered in the reading process.

• New scripts written for existing or previously produced shows and/or characters (for example scripts of Doctor Who, EastEnders, Sherlock or using characters from these shows).

(Visit the BBC Studios TalentWorks website to find out more about opportunities to write for one of the BBC's Continuing Dramas or cosy crime shows.)

• Short stories, novels, unpublished prose manuscripts, poetry or work you wish to have adapted into a script.

• Adaptations for broadcast of another writer’s idea (including adaptations of other writers’ novels).

• Comedy sketch shows and pure narrative comedy series or sitcoms.

Please see BBC Comedy Commissioning’s website for the latest updates on Comedy opportunities.

Read the Open Call Terms and Conditions for further details on what we do not accept.

Submission dates

The next submission window will be open between Tuesday 4th November 2025 at noon and Tuesday 2nd December 2025 at noon.

Enter the Open Call

When submissions are open the link to submit a script and other supporting information via our online E-Submissions system will be made available further down this page. Please ensure that you read this information before clicking on it to submit your script.

Once you have clicked on the link for the opportunity, you will firstly be asked to confirm your eligibility before entering. 

Please note: If you do not meet the listed criteria, you cannot enter the opportunity. If you still proceed with your application, your submission will be flagged as ineligible and you are unlikely to hear that this is the case until after the deadline has passed.

You will then need to login to your existing E-submissions account (or create an account if this is the first time you have entered).

If you have not created an e-submissions account before, visit our E-Submissions: Help & FAQs page for an instructional video.

You will then need to fill in a simple application form along with uploading your script and supporting information.

If you would like assistance on how to submit your application, visit our E-Submissions: Help & FAQs page for an instructional video.

To help writers prepare their Open Call application before submitting, we’ve provided a downloadable document detailing the steps of the process. Click the link below:

Open Call: E-Submissions Application Preview

PLEASE NOTE:

• We will not accept late submissions under any circumstances. Writers have four full weeks to submit an entry, giving plenty of time to navigate the E-submissions system and meet the deadline.

**If you have specific access requirements then please contact bbcwriters@bbc.co.uk ahead of the deadline to discuss your application.**

• Do not leave it until the day of deadline to create an E-submissions profile or to submit your script as you will leave yourself no time for troubleshooting.

• The BBC Your Account at the top left of the web page is not the same as a BBC Writers E-submissions account. It is totally unrelated, so having a BBC Account (for BBC iPlayer etc) does not automatically sign you up to E-submissions.

Read the E-Submissions: Help & FAQs for further information. 

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