This week the BBC released details of “brilliant writers” from its 2025 “Voices” development scheme, who were given six months training “to elevate their craft and connect them with the industry.”
The BBC describes these souls as “talented, passionate, funny, and endlessly creative”. But you also get the sense that they ticked quite a few boxes.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, has “pledged to hardwire diversity into everything [the BBC does]”, and you can tell this from its numerous writing schemes.
The BBC has spent a minimum of £80 million per year “on diverse content that meets our creative diversity”.
So what does this look like in practice?
In this article I will show you examples of writers who are clearly considered “diverse”/ “underrepresented” talent, or have written dramas deemed worthy (eg a show about climate change or men’s mental health). It’s also worth mentioning that the BBC seems to think being Northern is a disability (with bonus points if you’re “working class” or have written a “gritty” drama).
