Clapperboard partners up for initiative focused on prime-time dramas

Channel 5 has tied with long-standing drama partner Clapperboard to unveil a diverse director training scheme for up-and-coming directors.

The scheme is designed to provide emerging directors with the opportunity to step up into prime-time episodic drama.

The debut participant of the scheme is Munir Malik, who previously directed episodes of Hollyoaks and Emmerdale and will now be tasked with the challenge of helming an episode of Channel 5’s cruise ship drama The Good Ship Murder (pictured, top).

Produced by Clapperboard for Channel 5, the episode will air later this year on the channel as part of the third series. It will see Malik work closely with lead director Steve Hughes and receive support from Clapperboard through production and post-production.

Paul Testar, commissioning editor for drama at Channel 5 and Paramount+ said: “We’ve achieved real momentum with our drama on Channel 5 and as the slate expands further, it’s really important that we continue broadening our talent pool behind the scenes.”

He continued: “We know how important it is for new directors to get credits in primetime TV and we hope this scheme will be an important stepping stone to directors, particularly at a time when the traditional breakthrough opportunities in continuing drama are getting fewer.”

Clapperboard’s managing director Mike Benson said that “often the opportunities to move on to a direct a peak drama series can be limited.

“We hope this partnership with 5 will provide an ongoing opportunity for Directors to further diversify their experience and CV.”

The pilot scheme will run throughout 2025 with the intention of further cementing the scheme next year, offering more directors the opportunity to break into episodic drama via a wider application process.

The announcement comes as Channel 5 prepares to relaunch in March as ‘5’ to unite streaming and linear under one banner.

In April last year, Channel 5 gave Clapperboard a double order and a Christmas special of the nautical crime drama, securing a second and third series run of the eight-part series alongside a Christmas special.

It stars Shayne Ward as cabaret singer-turned-detective Jack Grayling alongside Catherine Tyldesley as ambitious First Officer Kate Woods.

This article first appeared on our sister site, Broadcast.