Directors UK and Creative Skillset”s High-End TV Council have launched the High-End TV Drama Directors Career Development Programme – an expanded career development initiative to help progress and diversify the directing talent in high-end TV drama.

Directors UK is offering six extended 12-week placements with production companies and broadcasters nationwide, including a project from Kudos and BBC One”s Silent Witness.

The launch comes on the tail of the pilot scheme in 2015, which saw five directors working across five high-end TV dramas: Dickensian, Mr Selfridge, Undercover, The Tunnel and Humans.

The new scheme will place the directors alongside the lead director for the whole of the shoot, from pre-production right through to post. He or she will also have the potential to direct 2nd unit where applicable, thus gaining an on-screen credit in high-end TV drama.

The programme aims to give directors a broader understanding of how shows within the genre are made, and how they differ from lower budget and continuing drama productions.

Richard Stokes, executive producer of Silent Witness, said: “Silent Witness has a long, successful tradition of working with and encouraging new directors. Over the last two decades the show”s alumni include those who have gone on to extraordinary careers, achieving popular and critical success in television and film on both sides of the Atlantic.”

During the 12-week placement, directors will be required to attend and participate in as much of the following as possible: pre-production and planning meetings; regular meetings with the lead director to discuss the planning on production requirements and strategies; be on set from the outset right through to wrap; post-production edits; career development/advice session with the lead director; provide evaluation and participate in any press and/or communication briefings on behalf of Directors UK.