15 12 2022 - Media release Six Australian screenwriters selected for the NCIS: SYDNEY S1 Script Department Program
Clare Sladden, Josh Sambono, Ella Cook, James Cripps, Rachael Alford and Siobhan Domingo (photo: Daniel Asher Smith)
The successful recipients of the NCIS: SYDNEY S1 Script Department Program have been announced today by Screen Australia, in collaboration with Paramount Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), CBS Studios and Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Company).
Writers Rachael Alford, Ella Cook, James Cripps, Siobhan Domingo, Josh Sambono and Clare Sladden will work in the script department for the highly anticipated NCIS: SYDNEY S1.
Screen Australia Head of Content, Grainne Brunsdon said, We were blown away by the volume of applications for this initiative, showcasing the breadth of screenwriting talent we have around the country and a testament to the NCIS global brand. A huge congratulations to the successful participants. Screen Australia is proud to support early to mid-career writers to take part in a global series and not only gain knowledge and experience in the Script Department of a renowned drama but also bring their authentic perspectives to the Sydney iteration of NCIS.
Head of Drama and Executive Production, Paramount ANZ, Rick Maier said, Emerging writers thrive on collaboration and mentorship, hence our excitement for this brilliant initiative. This seat at the table could turn out to be a winner for everyone. Jot down these names for future reference. I'm sure we'll all be hearing a lot more.
Chief Executive Officer Endemol Shine Australia, Peter Newman, said, The calibre of applicants was extraordinary, which is a strong indication that the future of Australian screenwriting is secure. Working alongside established screenwriters, the six recipients will contribute to the scripting process therefore adding their creativity and storytelling talent to the Australian iteration of this iconic franchise.
The 10-week full-time paid program will immerse the screenwriters in all facets of the script department and development process. The writers will be supported by experienced creatives including senior script coordinators, writers and editors, who will guide the process and contribute directly to the writers' learning and professional development.
The successful writers are:
Rachael Alford is a writer and actor from Melbourne, Australia. Graduating from Ballarat Arts Academy with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre, she's performed in many live shows across the country. In 2018, she gained her Master of Screenwriting from the Victorian College of the Arts. Soon after, she received VicScreen's Key Talent Writing Placement on Neighbours, where she went on to work as Script Coordinator, then trainee Editor/Storyliner. She wrote her first episode for Neighbours in its final weeks. In recent months, Rachael has been notetaking for Fremantle s Rock Island Mysteries and Endemol Shine s RFDS, as well as developing her own projects.
Ella Cook is a screenwriter, script editor and producer, with a background in Drama Development. Her short film The Exit Plan, starring Paapa Essiedu and Marcia Warren, premiered in 2021 at Flickerfest and played at festivals internationally. The film won Best International Film at Norwich International Film Festival and Best Drama at Women Over 50 Film Festival. For stage, Ella's work has been performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre, and London's Theatre N16. Currently, Ella is adapting a novel to TV for the UK, and is pitching as a finalist in the 2022 AACTA x Monster Pictures Pitch for her horror concept Specimen.
James Cripps is a screenwriter and script editor. Previously Screentime's Drama Development Coordinator, James was involved in shows such as Wolf Creek (Stan), Pine Gap (Netflix) and Underbelly Files: Chopper (Nine Network). His script editor credits include Informer 3838 (Nine Network) and Janet King 3 (ABC). His comedy-drama series High Rotation was developed with support from Screen Australia and recently won the 2021 Australian Writers' Guild Monte Miller Award (Long Form). After being shortlisted in the 2019 Monte Miller Awards, his horror-thriller Blooded was optioned by Beyond Entertainment and was a finalist in the 2021 AACTA Pitch: Bite competition.
Siobhan Domingo is a screenwriter and director. Their first short film, Double, screened at Cannes Film Festival in 2017, and in 2021 Siobhan received funding to develop an original television series, How To Lose Weight and Survive the Apocalypse in partnership with Screen Queensland and Wattpad Studios. In 2022 Siobhan was chosen to participate in the Impact Australia development program to write and develop their original series The Almost Insufferable Burden of being a Talented Woman.
Josh Sambono, a Jingili man, is an action and horror writer based in Western Sydney. He has written several short films that have screened at festivals across the world. His First Nations horror short Suspect premiered at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in Korea in 2020 and won Best Australian Short at Sydney's A Night of Horror International Film Festival. He has been in many writers' rooms for television shows developed by Bunya Productions and Blackfella Films. His television writing debut came in 2021 on Warwick Thornton's AMC vampire hunter series Firebite. He admires the work of Jordan Peele, The Duffer Brothers and Rebecca Sugar. Josh has a passion for genre storytelling with First Nations characters.
Clare Sladden is a Meeanjin/Brisbane-based screenwriter and director. After finding success on the festival circuit with her short films and online with her AWGIE-nominated web-series, Freudian Slip, Clare segued into the narrative audio space, where she wrote, direc
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
11/09/2025
SBS shares Australian National Anthem in over 60 languages to foster belonging a...
05/09/2025
SBS kicks off a confident slate with the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026 , premium dram...
05/09/2025
Today's Historic Settlement Underscores SBS's Powerful New Series The Pe...
04/09/2025
SBS kicks off a confident slate with the 2026 FIFA World Cup2026 , premium drama...
04/09/2025
Watch the Record-breaking Koori Knockout 2025 LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on NITV and SBS...
03/09/2025
World-first opt-out function to become full feature on SBS On Demand
3 September, 2025
Media releases
National broadcaster SBS will elevate the world-class...
03/09/2025
SBS On Demand to take consumer experience to next level with introduction of res...
03/09/2025
SBS highlights effectiveness of advertising in uncluttered environments
3 September, 2025
Media releases
New market-first research, done in conjunction wit...
03/09/2025
SBS extends exclusive Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift free-to-air broadcast dea...
03/09/2025
Record number of brands driving investment in NITV and First Nations media
3 September, 2025
Media releases
Beyond 3% continues to support the growth of Na...
03/09/2025
SBS declares FIFA World Cup 2026 Will be biggest TV audience event of 2026'
3 September, 2025
FIFA World Cup
SBS names Hyundai, Macca's, Rexona, ...
03/09/2025
SBS continues to lead Australian media in sustainability with launch of SBS Brie...
03/09/2025
SBS unifies data offering with launch of SBS Data Lab
3 September, 2025
Media releases
SBS brings together multiple audience initiatives together in one un...
03/09/2025
Turbulence, Heart and Humanity: SBS Unveils High-Flying New Airport Drama The Ch...
29/08/2025
Australian Red Cross and SBS launch training to help workplaces in the fight aga...
27/08/2025
27 08 2025 - Media release ABC, Screen Australia and ACTF unveil two new original children's series
Happy House.
The ABC, Screen Australia and the Austra...
25/08/2025
Watch SBS as 49 World Champions are crowned in nine days at the World Athletics ...
25/08/2025
Got a podcast idea? SBS Audio opens annual pitch season
25 August, 2025
Media releases
Three-time Australian Podcast Publisher of the Year, SBS, invites th...
21/08/2025
Statement on Acting Managing Director arrangements at SBS
21 August, 2025
Insights & articles
The SBS Board of Directors has today confirmed it will appoin...
20/08/2025
SBS unleashes landmark docu-drama The People vs Robodebt
20 August, 2025
Media releases
Our Government. Half a Million Victims [1]. Zero Accountability Un...
20/08/2025
Dan Bourchier appointed General Manager of NITV
20 August, 2025
Media releases
The respected journalist, presenter and accomplished leader will join Nation...
14/08/2025
Statement on the passing of David Stratton
14 August, 2025
Insights & articles
Statement by SBS Managing Director, James Taylor
SBS is deeply saddened by...
12/08/2025
SBS Managing Director James Taylor steps down
12 August, 2025
Media releases
SBS Managing Director will depart the organisation later this year
SBS Managi...
12/08/2025
Millions join SBS for a month of Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes action
12 August, 2025
Media releases
Total TV Reach of 5.57 million, including 1...
11/08/2025
11 08 2025 - Media release Screen Australia celebrates emerging creatives and cu...
07/08/2025
A bold new sporting documentary series celebrating First Nations athletes, cultu...
06/08/2025
SBS heralds sweeping historical drama King & Conqueror coming soon
5 August, 2025
Media releases
James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau star as the rivals ...
31/07/2025
31 07 2025 - Media release The Creators 2025 Participants Announced
Top (L-R): Tamara Asmar, Anna Barnes and Sarah Bassiuoni.
Bottom (L-R): Glen Dolman, Mich...
24/07/2025
NITV and SBS to celebrate the significance and spectacle of the 25th Garma Festi...
24/07/2025
Pure Drama continues with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift hot on the wheels...
23/07/2025
SBS shortlists proponents to proceed to next stage for Western Sydney production...
21/07/2025
SBS reveals expert commentary team for the World Athletics Championships in Toky...
21/07/2025
21 07 2025 - Media release Australian gamemakers level-up with major funding from Screen Australia
Retopia
New games capture distinctive stories, landscapes ...
09/07/2025
Explore Love Without Limits in a bold, funny and unapologetic SBS Audio podcast ...
08/07/2025
SBS strengthens commitment to inclusion with new commissioning guidelines
8 July, 2025
Media releases
SBS has launched new Commissioning Inclusion Guidelin...
08/07/2025
Secrets, Spies and Sabotage: 40 years on, SBS podcast investigates historic bomb...
07/07/2025
SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM
7 July, 2025
Media releases
Born of Greek Cypriot parents, Mr Savvides joined the SBS Board as Deputy Chair in Febru...
30/06/2025
SBS On Demand boosts global news offering with launch of France 24 FAST Channel
30 June, 2025
Media releases
SBS is expanding its international news offeri...
27/06/2025
27 06 2025 - Media release Game, set, action! Screen Australia and ABC announce new mini-series Goolagong
Marton Csokas and Lila McGuire of Goolagong. Image c...
26/06/2025
Buckle up for Great Australian Road Trips launching 31 July on SBS and SBS On De...
20/06/2025
Hit, run, oh sh#t: NITV and SBS get RECKLESS with filming underway in Western Au...
13/06/2025
Pure Drama and Fierce Rivalries set to dominate the world's most iconic spor...
12/06/2025
50 Years Strong: SBS and NITV Supercharge NAIDOC Week 2025 in a joint 50th celeb...
06/06/2025
06 06 2025 - Media release Award-Winning TV Creators Richard Gadd, Sally Wainwri...
03/06/2025
Stories of love, loyalty and self-discovery among six shortlisted Digital Origin...
28/05/2025
SBS celebrates 50 years of reflecting a diverse and contemporary Australia
28 May, 2025
Media releases
Marking 50 years of broadcasting on 9 June 2025, SBS...
28/05/2025
ABS and Verticloud announce a Strategic Partnership to accelerate Digital Transf...
22/05/2025
SBS and Screen Australia showcase the next wave of Australian storytellers with ...
22/05/2025
Rune Pedersen unpacks How Humans Talk in new SBS Audio podcast
22 May, 2025
Media releases
Ever caught yourself using baby talk with your pet and wondered ...
15 12 2022 - Media release Six Australian screenwriters selected for the NCIS: SYDNEY S1 Script Department Program 
