Waterloo Road Directors Programme launches for second year

Following the successful launch of last year’s pilot, Warner Bros. Discovery Access (WBD) UK, the development programme connecting new and emerging talent to WBD brands, have announced the return of the WBD Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme, designed in collaboration with the BBC, Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North, part of Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP), to support and grow the pool of directors in the North of England. The programme will help to support successful candidates hone their skills through workshops and industry led training.

This year, an expanded cohort of twelve directors will be selected to join a six-session virtual training programme, led by acclaimed directors Jude Weng (The Summer I Turned Pretty, Matlock, Only Murders in the Building, Twisted Metal, Ghosts, Frasier, Finding ‘Ohana) and Jesse Quinones (Waterloo Road, Inside Number 9, Cagefighter, Calloused Hands). Six shortlisted participants will then proceed to a series of in-person workshops from industry experts across the television and production industry. Of the participants who take part in the in-person workshops, a select number may also be invited to shadow directors on hit BBC drama Waterloo Road. 

The location eligibility criteria of the North of England for applicants forms part of an ongoing commitment to develop voices regionally for the creative industry as research continues to show that opportunities across the sector remain unevenly distributed across the country.1 Applications will open on Friday 10 October following a virtual information sharing session on Thursday 9 October 2025.

Reflecting on last year’s programme, participant Francesca Goodridge said: “The training was absolutely invaluable. As a director who has predominantly worked in theatre, I didn’t know how to make a crossover to TV and to use the skillset I already have as a director. This programme made that jump much easier, it highlighted how best to transfer those skills and also armed me with new ones. Shadowing another director introduced me to a set for the first time, giving me access to crew and production teams to observe and ask questions. Being able to shadow director John Maidens was a fantastic experience, learning from someone with such a breadth of knowledge in this industry.”

This programme continues to build on Waterloo Road’s longstanding commitment to nurturing talent in the North of England - both on and off screen - and reflects WBD Access UK’s broader aim to ensure access and representation for all, bringing different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences to WBD content and brands.

Jennifer Sobol, Director of Inclusion Pipeline Programmes WBD said: “Last year’s pilot was a resounding success, with positive feedback from across the cohort and three of our talented participants going on to shadow Waterloo Road directors. We’re so pleased the WBD Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme is returning for 2025/26, once again in collaboration with the BBC, Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North, and we have been able to extend the initial virtual training to even more directors. These cross-industry collaborations do vital work to increase representation of talent with different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences both on and off screen.”

Leanne Klein, Managing Director and Head of Wall to Wall said: “With the launch of the second year of the WBD Access x Waterloo Rd Directors Programme, I’m delighted that we are able to continue developing and growing directing talent in the North of England. This stands as part of our ongoing commitment for Waterloo Rd to serve as a training ground for new and aspiring talent in all aspects of TV production.”

Cameron Roach, Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction and Executive Producer of Waterloo Road said: “We're really thrilled to once again join forces with WBD Access, Wall to Wall North and the BBC, to put a focus on emerging directors in the North. By supporting, encouraging and enabling emerging directors we are able to contribute to a sustainable pipeline of talent.”

Jessica Schibli, BBC Head of Creative Diversity, said: “The BBC is committed to authentic representation and inclusion across all our output. The WBD Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme is vital in developing directors from the North of England, ensuring we continue to serve our audiences the very best content, rooted in authentic storytelling.”