The scheme will be comprised of workshops, expert-led sessions and networking opportunities across an eight-week period. From June 2024, the soon-to-be script writers will learn each stage of writing for screen, covering all bases.
This will be the second “Write Across” scheme the BBC has initiated after the successful “Write Across Liverpool” last year.
Inspired by his mother and all those who braved the leap to Britain in search of a new life, Henry has written a "spirited, moving, funny and utterly heartfelt" series that celebrates immigration, community and Black womanhood.
Opening in 1957, the clip introduces Rochelle Neil's Leah and Saffron Coomber's Chantrelle, two gregarious sisters who are seen persuading Yazmin Belo's Hosanna to join them in emigrating from Jamaica to Britain.
The Nottingham Trent University student’s film, Orange Striped Socks, which also won in the Animation category, was chosen by the Dudley-born comic and actor, who praised its “extraordinary craftsmanship”, calling it “very moving and beautifully well done”.
The night’s other principal awards were shared around the region’s universities.
Inspired by his mother’s stories of leaving Jamaica in the 1950s for Great Britain, Henry has created six fictional episodes charting the adventures of two outgoing sisters, Leah and Chantrelle, and their virtuous acquaintance Hosanna.
When the trio, from St Anne’s district in Jamaica, board a cruise ship heading for Great Britain, they leave their family, friends and old lives behind to forge new horizons on the other side of the Atlantic.
The two British TV icons have landed major roles in what showrunner Chris Chibnall has called “one of [Doctor Who’s] biggest ever stories to kick off the new series”.
As for whether Fry and Henry will play friends or enemies remains under wraps.
Reprising her role as the Thirteenth Doctor at the helm of the TARDIS will be Jodie Whittaker, alongside her usual time-travelling team with Tosin Cole as Ryan, Mandip Gill as Yaz and Bradley Walsh as Graham.
Following his speech, in a Q&A with diversity campaigner and advertising executive Karen Blackett, Lenny Henry described the pace of change in the hiring of women and disabled and ethnic-minority people behind the screen as “glacial”. His point was reinforced by the findings of Ofcom’s latest diversity report, discussed in earlier Cambridge sessions.
It’s September. That means back to school. And not just for the kids.
With Edinburgh hangovers barely forgotten, and TV execs and politicians still reeling from Dorothy Byrne’s outlandishly honest MacTaggart Lecture, conference season gets into full swing.
Not in Bournemouth but in Cambridge, courtesy of ITV, for the RTS biennial convention. There’s no prorogation for us.
Sir Lenny Henry calls for the television industry to step up to increase diversity in the workforce in his conversation with Karen Blackett OBE.
Check against delivery.
It is a massive honour to be speaking today at the RTS. The Royal Television Society, the only place left where the word Royal isn’t followed by the words “shuts down Parliament”.
The RTS has consistently been at the forefront of highlighting the issue of diversity in the television industry.
I gave my first speech at the RTS over ten years ago, talking about how TV desperately needs more diversity and it’s a mark of how far society has come that I’m back today - to talk about how TV desperately needs more diversity.
Lenny Henry’s Race Through Comedy, will chronicle and celebrate British TV comedy over the years and focus on iconic shows that have highlighted Britain’s mix of multiculturalism.
Henry is a fellow of the RTS and has previously been recognised for his work in helping to raise awareness of issues surrounding diversity within the television industry.
