BBC Drama and Directors UK are delighted to announce the next round of this year’s Continuing Drama New Directors’ Training Scheme.

Following the success of this collaboration since its inception in 2015, this year will see nine drama directors mentored on some of BBC Studios’ continuing drama series. In previous years this has included Doctors, EastEnders, River City, Holby City and Casualty.

As part of their training, each director will observe and participate in the entire production process of an episode of a show, from pre to post production, and will ultimately take 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.

The award-winning continuing dramas series, EastEnders and Holby City will take submissions for the scheme. Applications will open on Thursday 22 August 2019 and the deadline is Monday 16 September 2019.

The scheme is inviting applications from directors who have a genuine interest in EastEnders or Holby City and are passionate about developing their skills in continuing drama. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a solid knowledge of the drama, and it is open to anyone who meets the requirements of the scheme.

The selection panel will include Anne Edyvean, Head of BBC Writersroom; Simon Nelson, Development Executive, BBC Writersroom; and a team of experienced continuing drama TV directors along with BBC Producers and Executive Producers from EastEnders and Holby City.

The Continuing Drama New Directors’ Training Scheme is funded by BBC Drama and Directors UK and is run by BBC Writersroom, with support from BBC Studios. Applications from BAME and female directors are encouraged as we support the film and TV industry efforts to improve under-representation in these areas

More information about the scheme, full requirements and application details are available at the BBC website, via the links below. Deadline for applications is September 16 2019 at 10am.