Red Planet Pictures and ITV on the hunt for new writing talent in 2020
Red Planet Prize searches for untapped talent to write drama for ITV
UK independent production company Red Planet Pictures and ITV, have launched the 2020 Red Planet Prize, a bi-annual competition that champions talent and diversity by calling on emerging writers to submit their drama scripts to a panel of experts; this year's award will focus on finding original voices to bring into the mainstream. The winner of The Red Planet Prize will receive a script commission and the runner up will get development opportunities with ITV.
The two giants of popular drama will once again join forces to champion untapped talent and find under-represented voices with bold new serial and series ideas. This year the judges will focus on unmissable four-part contemporary thrillers (this could be psychological, conspiracy, relationship, crime or political) and returning procedural series (crime, medical and legal). To be considered, writers will be required to submit:
An existing original spec script, full length and for any medium TV, film, radio and theatre
A one to two-page pitch for an original TV serial or series idea for ITV
A short CV highlighting any writing credits (these are not essential to enter)
Screenwriters must be based in the UK and Eire. The idea should not be in development with another broadcaster or independent company.
Submissions will open online on March 27th with the closing deadline of April 3rd 2020. The shortlist masterclass will take place in May 2020 and the winner will be announced in July 2020.
Up to ten shortlisted writers will be invited to a one-day pitching masterclass with Tony Jordan, award-winning writer and CEO of Red Planet Pictures and ITV Drama Execs. They will then have three weeks to write up their pitch and series outline. Joining as ITV's Drama commissioner in 2019, this will be Chloe Tucker's first Red Planet Prize and she will be judging the shortlist alongside Kate Rowland (Creative Consultant), Belinda Campbell (Joint Managing Director of Red Planet Pictures) and writer and actor, Rhashan Stone (Keeping Faith, Apple Tree Yard).
Chloe Tucker, ITV Drama Commissioner, said of the competition; ITV is the home of mainstream drama. Our shows need to be noisy, unmissable and appeal to a wide audience, which means reflecting and celebrating the diverse makeup of the UK today. We are looking for brilliant storytellers and particularly encourage writers from underrepresented communities. ITV is for everyone, across background, race, disability, sexuality, gender identity and expression.
Kate Rowland, Creative Consultant added; Writers are the lifeblood of the television industry and we are looking for new talent with bold ideas who can create unforgettable contemporary drama with characters that make you want to tune in week after week. We're always blown away by the writers that we unearth, and we can't wait to see what this year brings.
ITV has always played a vital part in the landscape of British drama and shows such as Cracker, Scott & Bailey, to the more recent Cheat, White House Farm, The Bay and Butterfly have had an impact on audiences, whilst also promoting emerging talent in the key 9.00pm slot.
Red Planet Pictures is the home of popular drama, from Sanditon and Dickensian, to the much-loved Death in Paradise, a previous Prize finalist now in its ninth series.
[end]
Note to editors:
About Red Planet Prize
Launched in 2007, the Red Planet Prize offers the winner a script commission. Previous winners include Robert Thorogood who created the BBC One smash hit series Death in Paradise and 2016 winner Tom Nash who is also now a regular writer for the series. 2018's winner, Devlin Doyle currently has an exciting project, Devoted, in development with Red Planet Pictures and is lead writer for Dontrod Entertainment on a video-game project. Sharma Wallfall, runner up, is in development with Red Planet Pictures and just taken part in a writer's room with RED Production Company for a new drama series.
About Red Planet Pictures
Red Planet Pictures has produced some of the UK's most popular drama content of recent years, including nine series of the BBC One ratings hit Death in Paradise, with episode one of the series eight pulling in a consolidated audience of 8million, and a slot winning share of 33%.
The dynamic indie has also produced the ambitious and critically acclaimed 20-part drama Dickensian, for the BBC, big budget adventure drama series Hooten & The Lady for Sky One, the critically acclaimed WWI drama The Passing Bells and the retelling of Noah's Ark, The Ark, both for BBC One.
The 8x60' drama adaptation of Jane Austen's unfinished final novel, Sanditon, was developed by Emmy and BAFTA-Award winning writer Andrew Davies for ITV and is now airing on Masterpiece (currently the highest rated new UK drama of the last 12 months, doubling the PBS primetime average). Series nine of Death in Paradise is currently airing on BBC One and series ten will go into production in Spring 2020.
Red Planet Pictures was founded by award-winning writer Tony Jordan in 2005.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
26/03/2026
Extron and Audio-Technica have announced that their Design Solutions devices, Ce...
26/03/2026
SPORTEL Asia took place March 24-25 at the Orchard Hotel Singapore, drawing 370 participants representing more than 220 companies from 35 countries. Approximate...
26/03/2026
LTN will demonstrate satellite-to-IP migration solutions for broadcasters, cable networks, MVPDs, and station groups at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W2100).
The C-Ban...
26/03/2026
The Seattle Mariners have partnered with Daktronics to install an upgraded outfi...
26/03/2026
The Esports Foundation (EF) has awarded National Team Partner status to organizations and individuals across more than 100 countries and territories for the Esp...
26/03/2026
Telestream has announced expanded integration between its Vantage workflow platf...
26/03/2026
FOR-A Corporation has announced a partnership with Nippon TV and NVIDIA to distr...
26/03/2026
CBS Sports and the WNBA have expanded their partnership through a new long-term, multiplatform rights agreement. CBS Sports will feature up to 20 regular-season...
26/03/2026
Zac Brown Band will star in the Sunday Night Baseball show open on NBC and Peacock, NBC Sports announced. The open was filmed at American Family Field, home of ...
26/03/2026
Major League Baseball opens the 2026 season with nationally televised games across multiple media partners. Fans can visit MLB.com/Watch for a complete schedule...
26/03/2026
DIRECTV has announced an agreement to carry nine new MLB-operated team channels, covering the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers (Detroit SportsNet), Kansas City R...
26/03/2026
Nationals.TV, the Washington Nationals' local broadcast channel, is now avai...
26/03/2026
Starting Thursday, March 26, MLB.TV will be available on the ESPN App, giving fans access to more than 2,000 out-of-market regular season games. Fans can also r...
26/03/2026
Spotify's partnership with NAVER, Korea's leading digital platform, is built around one simple goal: making it easier for listeners in Korea to discover...
26/03/2026
Exclusive to ComposerCloud for first month
Sample library and virtual instrument gurus EastWest have announced the upcoming release of a new virtual drum i...
26/03/2026
Friday 27 March
Friday 27 March will mark Dynamic Range Day 2026, the annual day of online activity that was started in 2010 by mastering engineer Ian Sheph...
26/03/2026
Includes four separate instruments
Max Richter's SRM Sounds venture have just announced their fifth release, ASMR Choir. Captured at the main live room ...
26/03/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), has been tasked with administering the Sixth Presi...
26/03/2026
By Matt Klein
Hello to everyone reading this - whether you're a current YEP, HPA member, or just YEP-curious. I'm Matt Klein, one of the co-chairs of t...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
28 participating companies, from start-ups to blue-chips, lead the UK Group as part of the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland presence across all the Halls at N...
26/03/2026
Arkona Unveils BLADE//planner and Major Usability Enhancements at NAB 2026
Brie Clayton March 26, 2026
0 Comments
New graphical configuration tool and...
26/03/2026
Bitfocus showcases complete control at NAB Show 2026
Brie Clayton March 26, 2026
0 Comments
Continuing development drives advances in security, availa...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Nevion introduces powerful new Panel Builder to enhance VideoIPath broadcast con...
26/03/2026
2026 Oscar Nominated Films Powered by Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton March 25, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio used on 27 of this year's no...
26/03/2026
Leader to present full suite of advanced Test & Measurement solutions at NAB Sho...
26/03/2026
Boston Conservatory to Present New England and Collegiate Premiere of Groundbrea...
26/03/2026
Thursday 26 March 2026
HBO Max included for Sky and NOW customers from 26 March...
26/03/2026
Thursday 26 March 2026
Sky Sets Iconic Costumes Dancing Together Like Never Before' in Brand CampaignTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy o...
26/03/2026
Wuppertal March 26, 2026
CS live Builds Future-Ready OB Van With Riedel MediorNet and hi Control SystemRiedel Communications today announced that Czech-based ...
26/03/2026
Back to All News
Have a Wish Worth Dying For? Netflix's First Korean YA Hor...
26/03/2026
Back to All News
The Truthers, Starring Jose Coronado and St phanie Magnin, Pre...
26/03/2026
Enhancements to Harmonic's Sports Streaming Solution Introduce Server-Side Multiview, Contextual Metadata-Driven Advertising, Dynamic In-Stream Ads and Robu...
26/03/2026
Open the report
Our 2025 report brings together results from 79 business magazine titles across 22 market sectors, published by 49 media owners. Over the year,...
26/03/2026
Editor's note: This post is part of Into the Omniverse, a series focused on ...
26/03/2026
RT Commercial today announced Fiat as sponsor of The Louise Duffy Show on RT Radio 1, Weekdays 3pm 4pm.
The Louise Duffy Show is the home of daytime music...
26/03/2026
That gaming backlog won't clear itself - GeForce NOW is here to help. Stream the latest titles straight from the cloud across a variety of devices.
This we...
26/03/2026
Wayne, N.J., March 26, 2026 Phantom High-Speed announces the latest product li...
Red Planet Pictures and ITV on the hunt for new writing talent in 2020
