Critically acclaimed producer announces the launch of cutting edge development programme
Red Planet Pictures, one of the UK's most innovative and successful independent producers, today announced the creation of a Writers' Room initiative, designed to launch Britain's next generation of showrunners.
Building on their reputation as champions of new talent, Red Planet have invited four rising screenwriting stars to join the programme, where they will be paired with an established showrunner to develop an original idea from seed to production.
In the first programme, the writers will be developing a new eight-part series. The contemporary crime thiller, set in London, will be developed from start to finish by the Writers' Room, in this instance, led by Red Planet CEO Tony Jordan. Under Jordan's leadership, the writers will create not only an initial script, but also storyline the entire series and develop a show bible. Uniquely, post commission, all four writers will then work across all aspects of production, from casting to edit, gaining invaluable show running experience.
The writers selected for the inaugural Red Planet Writers' Room are Maya Sondhi (Mount Pleasant, EastEnders, The Kumars), Laura Poliakoff (Holby City, EastEnders, Casualty), Jonny O'Neill (Community Service, EastEnders) and Nathaniel Price (Five by Five, Baller, The Break II).
Red Planet Pictures CEO Tony Jordan said: "We're thrilled to announce this new iniative, building on the work we've done with new writers for more than ten years. Developing the Red Planet Writers' Room programme, we are building a creative model that will not only give new writers a chance to learn what goes into being a showrunner but will also generate successful new series ideas for years to come."
In addition to the Writers' Room initiative and highlighting their long running investment in new talent, the company is currently celebrating its eight year of The Red Planet Prize. Last year's winner, Tom Nash, is currently working with Red Planet to develop his winning script Percentages and previous finalist Robert Thorogood created the BBC One smash hit series Death in Paradise. Now starring Ardal O'Hanlon and produced by Red Planet Pictures, the series returns to BBC One for a seventh season next year.