Aspiring comedy writers from across the Liverpool City Region are being given the chance to turn their ideas into the next big BBC sitcom through a major new development project.
BBC Comedy has launched the BBC Comedy Liverpool Script Development project, supported by Liverpool City Council’s Film Office, with the aim of discovering and developing distinctive new comedy voices from across the city region.
The initiative follows the success of this year’s BBC Comedy Festival in Liverpool and will see five original 30-minute comedy scripts commissioned for development, with at least one project progressing to further development.
The ambition is to create a returning sitcom capable of capturing Liverpool’s distinctive voice, humour and talent for audiences across the UK.
Writers applying for the programme must either be from or currently based in the Liverpool City Region and will need to submit their project with the support of a UK-based production company.
The project is being funded in partnership with Liverpool Film Office through the Liverpool City Region Production Fund.
It also forms part of the wider legacy of the BBC Comedy Festival, which brought leading figures from the British comedy industry to Liverpool earlier this year and placed the spotlight on the city’s growing screen and creative industries.
The script initiative is the latest in a series of development programmes being supported by Liverpool Film Office during 2026.
The Film Office recently launched Action! Next Take in partnership with Lime Pictures’ L16 Studios Media Academy and Channel 4’s 4Skills.
The programme is providing opportunities across areas including post-production, design and accountancy, helping people develop skills and experience behind the scenes of the television industry.
Meanwhile, Foot in the Door Liverpool, delivered alongside the Andy Taylor Foundation, will give 12 young people the opportunity to begin careers across film, television and digital media through a fully paid training and work placement programme.
Together, the initiatives aim to create new routes into Liverpool’s screen sector while helping the city develop the next generation of writers, production talent and creative professionals.
Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Cllr Harry Doyle, said:
“Liverpool’s wit and humour are famous around the world, but behind every great comedy is a great writer.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring writers to develop their ideas with the support of BBC Comedy and bring authentic Liverpool stories to the screen.
“We’ve got incredible creative talent across our city and I can’t wait to see the ideas that emerge from this project!”
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram, said:
“It is inarguable that our sense of humour is recognised right across the country. But we all know that great comedy often starts with talented writers who know how to tell brilliant stories. That’s why it’s so important we’re creating opportunities like this to help local people break into the industry and get their ideas in front of the right people.
“We’ve already shown what this region can do when it comes to film and TV, and we’re investing to make sure even more homegrown talent can build careers right here.”
Emma Lawson, Interim Director of BBC Comedy, said:
“Liverpool has long been home to some of the UK’s most distinctive comedy voices. Following the success of this year’s BBC Comedy Festival, we’re delighted to be working with Liverpool Film Office to find funny, original stories that reflect the city and region, with the potential to become the next iconic BBC sitcom.”
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