Following last year’s pilot, Warner Bros. Discovery Access (WBD) UK has announced the return of the WBD Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme.
The programme, designed in collaboration with the BBC, Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North, part of Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP), was set up 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 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.
Applications will open on Friday 10 October following a virtual information sharing session on Thursday 9 October 2025.
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 Roaddirectors. 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.”
Jon Creamer
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