Banijay UK’s Conker Pictures Northern Ireland has announced Paddy Campbell as their Writer In Residence for 2025.
Originally from Bangor, Co Down, Paddy is a past graduate of Channel 4’s screenwriting course and Creative England’s iWrite Scheme and has also featured on the BBC New Talent hotlist.
His debut play, Wet House, opened at Live Theatre, Newcastle to rave reviews, two sold-out runs and a transfer to Soho Theatre. He was welcomed back as Live Theatre’s inaugural Writer in Residence with the venue producing his second play, Day of the Flymo. His verbatim play, Leaving, formed from interviews with young people leaving care and inspired by his own experiences as a key worker in a Northeast Children’s Home was produced by Curious Monkey/Northern Stage.
For screen, his short film, Mr Whippy, was produced by Elation Pictures/BBC Films and he’s currently writing a feature film with the same team. Most recently, he was in the writer’s room and co-wrote the final episode of Bodkin for Netflix (produced by Higher Ground/Wiip) and is also developing original ideas with Escapade Productions, 42 and VAL.
Kim Varvell and Tommy Bulfin, CEOs of Conker Pictures, said: “We were overwhelmed by the volume of applications and quality of the submissions – it’s a real testament to the level of Northern Irish talent out there. It was very difficult to choose a winner but we are absolutely delighted to announce Paddy as our first ever writer in residence. He’s exceptionally talented with an incredible voice and we’re looking forward to seeing what we cook up together on the scheme over the coming year.”
Paddy Campbell added: “I’m thrilled to be selected for Conker Pictures inaugural Writer in Residence scheme. Kim and Tommy make brilliant TV shows and it’s an incredible opportunity to tap into their combined experience. Their passion and commitment to fresh and exciting stories from Northern Ireland makes Conker feel like the perfect home for my next project. I can’t wait to get stuck in!”
The Conker Pictures Northern Ireland Writer in Residence scheme was launched in September, with the aim of nurturing the next generation of showrunners from Northern Ireland.
Paddy will now have access to development meetings, writers’ rooms, feedback on ideas and scripts, invitations to industry events and mentoring workshops with leading industry creative talent. He is also now guaranteed an in-house script commission that will be pitched to broadcasters with a view to getting the idea on TV.
In line with Banijay Entertainment’s commitment to championing new voices with creative ambition, this scheme is supported by the company’s Scripted Fund. Available to producers across the group’s footprint, the fund enhances the scope of projects, allowing creatives to fully realise their vision. Other recent scripted initiatives include Banijay Bootcamp, which paired in-house development executives from five different countries with emerging writers in a dynamic residency.
Jon Creamer
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