BBC Studios TalentWorks announces new scripted Creators in Residence

Building on the success of its previous Creator in Residence programme, BBC Studios TalentWorks is announcing two new recruits for early 2023, who will focus on scripted projects within the BBC Studios portfolio.

Actor Hammed Animashaun has joined BBC Studios Comedy Productions for a six month placement to develop original TV content. Animashaun has worked in television, film and theatre with credits that include: BBC Studios Comedy Productions’ “Black Ops,” Amazon Studios’ “The Wheel of Time,” Paramount’s “Time Bandits,” films such as “The Loneliest Boy in the World,” and Film 4 and Fudge Park’s “The Festival,” as well as theatrical productions ranging from “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” “The Three Penny Opera,” “Master Harold,” and “Barbershop Chronicles” at the National Theatre and “The Producers” at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.

“I cannot find the words to describe how excited and blessed I am to be a part of this programme. I cannot wait to hopefully create something special and extremely funny,”  Hammed Animashaun commented. “Hammed is an electric talent. He is also an exceptionally funny man and we are thrilled to be working with him on exciting new top secret comedy projects,”  added Josh Cole, Head of BBC Studios Productions Comedy.

Meanwhile, playwright and comedy screenwriter Liz Daramola has joined Baby Cow Productions, a BBC Studios Production Label, for a six month placement to develop new original TV content. Whilst part of Soho Theatre’s Writers Lab, Daramola developed her debut play “Bonhomié,” shortlisted for the Tony Craze Award in 2020 and longlisted for the Mustapha Matura Award in 2021. In 2020, she was part of Edinburgh TV Festival’s The Network, and in 2021, she joined the Royal Court Writers’ Group and BBC London Voices. She is currently writing on Frogbox’s “PJ Masks” for Disney. She also works as a Literary Associate at the Lyric Hammersmith.

“I am delighted to join Baby Cow as the new Creator in Residence. It is always been a dream of mine to create content with one of the UK's leading production companies. I cannot wait to work with the brilliant team and see what the next six months produce. Thank you to BBC Studios TalentWorks and Baby Cow for this fantastic opportunity,”  Liz Daramola said. “Like everyone at Baby Cow, Liz has something to say. She has also dedicated to spotting and nurturing talented, young and diverse voices. We were bowled over the moment we met her,”  added Sarah Monteith, CEO of Baby Cow Productions.

BBC Studios TalentWorks Creator in Residence programme offers paid placements within BBC Studios Production Units, Production Labels and Invested Indies. They give emerging creators the chance to develop their skills alongside the best in the business, develop new scripts, programme concepts or even present. Many have left with impressive experience and credits under their belts.

Mark Linsey, Managing Director of Scripted at BBC Studios Productions, declared: “BBC Studios TalentWorks was set up to support new voices and to open up the media landscape to creatives from all backgrounds. We are incredibly excited that Liz and Hammed are joining our Creator in Residence programme. They are both an exciting new generation of talent with an exciting and varied six months ahead of them. We cannot wait to see what they develop and deliver.”