How to submit a script to us

What is the Open Call opportunity for script submissions?

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.

The dates of the next Open Call will be announced in autumn 2026.

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.

How do you know if you are eligible to enter the Open Call?

Read the Open Call Terms and Conditions section 1

What should you submit?

Read the Open Call Terms and Conditions section 2 for full details

What do we not accept?

Read the Open Call section 6 for full details of what we do not accept

When our Open Call is open for submissions, we can only accept scripts online via our E-Submissions system. Postal or email submissions are not possible at any time under any circumstances.

Submission dates

The Open Call submission window was last open between Tuesday 4th November 2025 at noon and Tuesday 2nd December 2025 at noon. 

Thank you to everyone who submitted a script in the last Open Call. We are now busy reading for the next few months. We will update writers on the outcome of their scripts by July 2026.

The dates of the next Open Call will be announced in autumn 2026.

• Check out other Opportunities from the BBC and other organisations.
• Follow us on Instagram @BBCwriters X (formerly Twitter) @BBCwritersroom on LinkedIn or Like us on Facebook for announcements.

How do you enter the Open Call?

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

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

Please note: If you do not meet the listed eligibility 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 the conclusion of the process. 

Once you have confirmed your eligibility 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 one of our opportunities).

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

You will then need to fill in a simple application form along with uploading your script pdf file.

If you would like assistance on how to submit your application, visit ourE-Submissions: Information & Help 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. 

Open Call: E-Submissions Application Preview 

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. 

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.
• All writing software will come with its own user instructions. We cannot offer technical support for third party software. Read Section 13 of the Open Call Terms and Conditions for further details
• 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.

Accessibility Support

**If you have specific access requirements then please Contact BBC Writers at least 48 hours ahead of the deadline to discuss your application.**

• E-Submissions: Information & Help Further advice on the E-Submissions system including instructional videos.
• Open Call: E-Submissions Application Preview
• Open Call Easy Read Document

Who will read your script and what is the reading process?

Read the Open Call Terms and Conditions section 8 for full details

What criteria do we use to evaluate scripts?

Read the Open Call Terms and Conditions section 7

How will you find out the outcome of your submission?

A notification that decisions have been made will be published on our website and social media following which you can login to the E-submissions system to find out the outcome for your submission.

We receive thousands of scripts within each Open Call window so it will take up to six months before decisions are available.

Why do we only read ten pages in the first sift?

BBC Writers receives thousands of scripts every year. We believe ten pages are sufficient opportunity to make an initial decision about the scripts we receive. For the Open Call window, this is always the first ten pages as all good broadcast stories should hook the attention of the audience in the opening minutes, and we reflect this necessity in our initial assessment of work.

If your idea is for a series or serial, in general you would submit the first (pilot) episode. However, if you feel as though you have another episode within that series which demonstrates your ability and voice more than the first, then you can submit it and provide some short context (no more than a page) to inform the reader of where the episode is placed in the wider story. If you decide to include this information then it should be added within the same pdf file but it should not be included in the page count of your script. We will not read more than one episode of a television series/serial.

Our readers are briefed to look out for quality, talent and potential, regardless of content, subject, theme, message, setting, genre, budget, the experience of the writer, or the personal tastes of the reader.

We ask for a Logline as part of your submission - what is this?

In its simplest terms, a logline is a one (sometimes two) sentence summary of your script or TV series.  

Read this blog post to find out more about Loglines, why they are important and how to write a good one.

Will your script be considered for production?

The Open Call is a means by which the BBC finds the best writing talent – it is not a competition, and the selected writers are not commissioned for the script submitted. Scripts should not be sent with the expectation that they will be produced. 

Find out more about how we find and develop writers

Read a series of blog posts about How to Get Your TV Script Made

Why don't we accept scripts from writers based outside the UK & Republic of Ireland?

BBC Writers (as part of BBC Drama Commissioning) is funded in a specific and local way via the UK television licence to find, develop and champion writers in the UK and Republic of Ireland with whom we can develop a long-term relationship. That includes writers with a unique voice and perspective on the world from their point of view as a UK or ROI resident. Writers who can tell stories which resonate with and represent our diverse BBC audience and reflect that experience to the world. A key part of our work is also developing peer-group networks of writers at a similar place in their development who can stay with them throughout their careers.

How do you protect the Copyright in your script?

Read Section 4 and Section 5 of the Open Call Terms and Conditions. All writers must agree to these Terms and Conditions when submitting their script.

The copyright of all scripts sent to the BBC rests with the writer – you do not need to formally copyright work before you send it in to us. Writers are often anxious that their work may be stolen or plagiarised. However, similarities in writers' ideas, material, and scripts occur surprisingly often. BBC Writers does not recommend scripts to departments without first contacting the writer. BBC Writers isn't looking for ideas for production in the first instance – we are primarily looking for scripts that show a real talent and potential in the writer. 

In the rare event that a producing department wishes to option an unsolicited script, the BBC would necessarily agree appropriate contractual terms with the writer in line with standard BBC agreements. For further information on legal and contractual issues for writers, you may wish to contact the Writers' Guild of Great Britain. 

The BBC will only ever use personal details for the purposes of administering the scheme. Please see the BBC Writers' Privacy Policy.

Will there be any publicity? Can you announce how far you got through the Open Call process on social media?

The names of all selected entrants will be made public following the conclusion of any related writer development programme. Entrants must agree to take part in any post-scheme publicity if required. 

When you are told how far your script made it through the process we are happy for you to share this information on your own social media, however writers must not make use of any feedback or script report that they are sent for their own publicity purposes.

More Help and Information

The answers to most questions can be found on our website. 

• Watch our Inside Scoop webinar from 27th October 2025 on our YouTube channel and get help, advice and Dos and Don'ts to give your script its best chance of success
• Get advice on writing Comedy Drama in this blog post by Robin Taylor and this blog post by Chris Head
• View and download example Script Formats
• Visit our Script Library to read scripts
• Find out how we find and develop writers with Jessica Loveland, The Head of New Writing for BBC Drama Commissioning and BBC Writers
• Get more help and advice on our blog including Getting Your Screenplay Ready

Contact Us

If you cannot find the answer to your question on our website you can Contact Us 

If the information is provided elsewhere on our website then we will not respond further.

***We cannot guarantee that we’ll be able to help you on deadline day, as we are often extremely busy. We highly recommend all writers to submit well in advance of deadline day. It is your responsibility to ensure that you leave enough time to complete the submission process.***