Providing Directors in the North a pathway into the episodic television directing space
The WBD Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme aims to support and grow the pool of directors in the North of England. Waterloo Road, as a BBC commission, is ambitious to encourage career development and upskill creative talent.
The programme will be led by WBD’s Access team, in close partnership with the BBC, Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North.
Warner Bros. Discovery Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme
Through the WBD Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme, twelve directors will be selected to take part in a series of virtual workshops designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge required for directing episodic television, focusing on Waterloo Road. Through tailored masterclasses, they will develop their creative and professional capabilities, culminating in an Engagement Day, where their creative thinking, leadership, and overall progress will be assessed for progression to the next stage.
Following the Engagement Day, up to six directors will be invited to attend a week-long, in-person intensive curriculum. The curriculum will be comprised of practical workshops covering directing an episodic series, technical skills, and but also the personal and professional skills essential for success, such as inclusive leadership on set and dedicated learning and development sessions. This will take place in Manchester in March 2026.
Following this, there may be opportunities for some of the cohort to shadow on Waterloo Road.
The programme will be led by the WBD Access team in partnership with BBC, Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North. Workshops will be led by two experienced episodic TV 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’).
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be over 18 at the time of application
- Have directed no more than one episode of broadcasted scripted television at the time of application
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Not be in full time education
- Have their main residence in the North of England - defined as Yorkshire and Humber, North-West and North-East England.
- Must be available to attend anticipated programme dates for the virtual curriculum and in-person workshops (see below for programme dates)
Selection Criteria
To be selected for the virtual curriculum you will need to demonstrate through video or written submissions and directing samples that you have:
- An enthusiasm and knowledge of scripted television; specifically with an awareness of Waterloo Road and Northern stories
- Long term career aspirations for episodic directing
- A creative track record in directing for narrative film, commercials and/or documentary that took place in the last three years.
Please note that professional theatre directors may apply but must also be able to provide at least one on-screen sample of narrative TV/Film that took place in the last three years.
Programme Timeline:
- Thursday 9th October 2025: Virtual Information Session (5:15-6:15PM BST)
- Friday 10th October 2025: Submissions Open
- Wednesday 5th November 2025: Application Submission Deadline (11:59PM GMT)
- Thursday 6th November – Monday 8th December 2025: 1st Stage Reviews based on submission of CV, bio, an intro video and responses to individual prompts.
- Tuesday 9th – Tuesday 16th December 2025: 2nd Stage reviews.
Please note, if you have been shortlisted for 2nd stage reviews, you may receive a pre-screen phone call from a member of the WBD Access team between Tuesday 9th - Tuesday 16th December 2025.
- Mid-December 2025: Notification Date (successful virtual curriculum applicants)
- Weeks commencing 2nd and 9th February 2026: Virtual Curriculum Delivery
Please note, the sessions will take place on the Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays of both weeks.
- Friday 13th February 2026: Engagement Day
- Mid-February 2026: Notification Date (successful in-person curriculum applicants)
- Wednesday 25th February 2026: Virtual Orientation / Prep for in-person curriculum
- Week Commencing 9th March 2026): In-person curriculum in Manchester
Dates subject to change.
Programme Outline
The Virtual Curriculum and In-Person workshops will include the following key areas:
- Virtual Curriculum: over the course of two weeks, there will be 6 virtual sessions each taking place in the evenings for 2 hours. An industry practicing Director will cover essential skills for episodic directing.
- In-person Curriculum: This will comprise of 5 days of practical training; sessions with editors; casting directors; actors; crew members and the producing and story team for Waterloo Road.
- Shadowing: Of the six participants involved in the in-person curriculum, a select number may have the opportunity to shadow an experienced Director on a block of Waterloo Road.
Virtual Information Session
If you missed our virtual Information session for the WBD Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme, you can find the link to our presentation pack that contains the key takeaways below.
FAQs
Do I need to have experience as a director?
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a creative track record in directing for narrative film; commercials; documentary or theatre. Applicants must not have more than one episode of broadcast scripted television. Please note that roles such as assistant directing, shadowing, or 2nd unit directing are not considered directing credits for the purposes of this programme.
Those applying as professional theatre directors will also need to submit one sample of on-screen directing in narrative TV/Film that took place in the last three years.
When is the deadline to apply for this programme?
All applications for the virtual curriculum must be submitted by 5th November 2025 (11:59PM GMT). No exceptions.
How do I apply?
All submissions must be made through our portal. Submissions via email will not be accepted.
When will I find out if I am successful?
We aim to inform successful applicants for the virtual curriculum in December 2025.
What is the ‘Engagement Day’?
The Engagement Day will be an informal assessment, in which tasks will be set based on the virtual curriculum. The assessment will be used to determine which 6 of the 12 participants will progress from the virtual curriculum to the in-person curriculum, taking place in Manchester.
What is the time commitment of the programme? Can I participate in other obligations while in the programme?
If you are selected for the programme, you will be required to attend the virtual curriculum taking place in February 2026. Of the 12 participants on the virtual curriculum, 6 will then go on to do the in-person curriculum which will take place in Manchester during February and March 2026. Where a participant is offered a shadowing placement, this will take place in spring of 2026.
Will there be opportunities to shadow on Waterloo Road?
There may be opportunities for some of the cohort to shadow on Waterloo Road. Where a participant is offered a shadowing placement, this will take place in spring of 2026 and details will be discussed directly with the relevant individuals.
What personal expenses will be covered through the scheme?
Participants will receive a £200 stipend for the virtual workshops. The participants selected for the in-person intensive will receive a further £500 stipend, along with reasonable travel and accommodation expenses. Please contact our team via email at access.international@wbd.com if you have any further questions regarding financial aid for the programme.
I have some more questions, is there someone I can get in contact with?
Of course, please get in touch with our team via email at access.international@wbd.com.
Who can I contact about a technical issue I’m having with the Applicant Portal?
If you are still experiencing technical issues after reading through the above FAQ, please contact accessprograms@warnermedia.com.
Will my self-identification information be shared? How will this information be used?
Individual level self-identification data will never be shared. Since the programmes are designed to serve underrepresented communities, collecting and analysing the aggregate data allows us to monitor diversity and review equal opportunities across our programmes. It will play no part in the application process. This self-identification section will be separated from your application on receipt. All self-identification questions are voluntary to answer.
