Lisa Holdsworth

Our Friend in Yorkshire: Lisa Holdsworth

Lisa Holdsworth (credit: The Haworth Agency)

If you look at the schedules, it would be reasonable to assume that everyone in Yorkshire goes about their day-to-day life followed by a camera crew. It seems we have every profession covered, including vets, farmers, midwives, shepherdesses, auctioneers and airport workers.

In addition, Yorkshire continues to inspire writers like me to write shows such as Gentleman Jack, Ackley Bridge, Hullraisers, Happy Valley and, of course, Emmerdale, which recently celebrated 50 years of being filmed in the region.

Channel 4 commissions new coming-of-age series Dance School

Lisa Holdsworth and Theresa Ikoko (credit: Channel 4)

Created by Theresa Ikoko (Rocks) and Lisa Holdsworth (Call The Midwife), Dance School follows an eclectic group of dance students as they navigate the intense highs and lows of coming of age in today’s complex world.

Told through the eyes of the core friendship group and dance crew - Puppy, Kobby, Liam, Tim, Francesca, Tash and Nohail - Dance School captures their joyful, funny, raw and truthful stories. Heading up the LAH dance school is Jackie, a dynamic, determined, tough but passionate teacher who brings the group together.

Lisa Holdsworth discusses the difficulty of getting your first break as a writer

The Chair of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain said: “It’s very easy to think that we’re a lovely, right-on industry with no unconscious bias. That it’s a meritocracy and whatever you do, as long as you’re writing good stuff, you’re going to get the job. It’s simply not true.”

Holdsworth was discussing her career and the state of UK drama with RTS Yorkshire Chair Fiona Thompson.

Her break came almost two decades ago when Kay Mellor asked her to write an episode of ITV drama Fat Friends, which she described as her “sink or swim moment”.