TV Script Trio Handed First Writing Commission

Three graduates of a TV fiction writing course involving Glasgow Caledonian University have been awarded their first TV script writing commission – on an online spin-off of the drama on the BBC, Waterloo Road.

Waterloo Road Reunited brings together characters in Waterloo Road who have left, but 'still have lives', including partying.

The trio have been taken on by Waterloo Road producers, Shed Productions, which are partners with Glasgow Caledonian in the writing course.

In a statement issued by Shed, chief executive, Eileen Gallagher, is quoted, as saying: “We really want to nurture and create industry-ready writers for British television. Shed is sponsoring scholarships and has a close working relationship with Caledonian University. It is testament to the quality of the course that we were able to offer three of its first graduates this opportunity.”

Under the creative direction of Ann McManus, creator of Waterloo Road, Lissa Tognini, Stuart Hill and Chris Willshaw have been contracted to write for Waterloo Road Reunited, which launches in March.

In a second development, Shed Productions has secured the services of a top London literary agency, McFarlane Chard, to represent all the students for a probationary year after completing the course. Top literary agents will read and critique the students’ original scripts and mentor them through their first year as script writers.