British Comedy Guide

BBC Studios announces new Creators in Residence

Monday 27th March 2023, 11:13am

Image shows left to right: Liz Daramola, Hammed Animashaun. Credit: BBC

BBC Studios has announced two new hires as part of its TalentWorks initiative.

Upcoming actor/writers Hammed Animashaun and Liz Daramola have each secured six-month placements under the scheme's Creator in Residence programme, which aims to give opportunities to new creatives.

Each working with a remit to develop original scripted TV comedy, actor Hammed Animashaun joins BBC Studios Comedy Productions, whilst Liz Daramola joins Baby Cow, an independent production company that BBC Studios holds a stake in.

Animashaun has worked in television, film and theatre with credits that include BBC Studios' upcoming sitcom Black Ops and Fudge Park's feature film The Festival, and theatre productions ranging from A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Three Penny Opera, Master Harold and Barber Shop Chronicles at the National Theatre, and The Producers at Manchester's Royal Exchange.

Hammed Animashaun says: "I can't find the words to describe how excited and blessed I am to be a part of this programme! I can't wait I can't wait to hopefully create something special and extremely funny! (no pressure at all HA!)"

Josh Cole, Head of BBC Studios Comedy Productions, added: "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!"

Playwright and comedy screenwriter Daramola joins Baby Cow, the production company founded by Steve Coogan.

Whilst part of Soho Theatre's Writers Lab, Daramola developed her debut play Bonhomié, was 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.

Liz says: "I'm delighted to join Baby Cow as the new Creator in Residence. It's always been a dream of mine to create content with one of the UK's leading production companies. I can't 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."

Sarah Monteith, CEO of Baby Cow Productions, says: "Like everyone at Baby Cow, Liz has something to say. She's also dedicated to spotting and nurturing talented, young and diverse voices. We were bowled over the moment we met her!"

The 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 says: "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 can't wait to see what they develop and deliver."

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