Up-and-comers in mentoring scheme

The BBC Comedy Collective 2026 cohort has been announced today, revealing the latest recipients of the bursary scheme for writers, producers, directors and editors looking to take the next step in their careers in scripted comedy.

Each bursary winner will receive up to £10,000 worth of paid shadowing on a BBC comedy production, along with an allocated production mentor, plus a £5,000 development grant.

They are: directors: Charlotte Serena Cooper (London) and Chloe English (Liverpool), writers: Harry May-Bedell (Leeds) and Maura Campbell (Northern Ireland), and writing duo Mohammed-Zain Dada and Milli Bhatia (London). Writer/performers: Elijah Young (North East), Kimberly Hart Simpson (Wales) and Sabrina Ali (London). Producer: Danielle Goff (London) and editor: Ewan Denny (Scotland).

Emma Lawson, the BBC’s interim director of comedy, says: ‘Supporting talented people both on-screen and behind the scenes to progress and build sustainable careers in comedy remains one of BBC Comedy’s most important responsibilities, which is why the Comedy Collective is such a vital programme. 

‘We’re incredibly proud to work with brilliant creatives from every corner of the UK, and this year’s cohort is a fantastic reflection of the breadth of comedy talent we have across the country. It’s a genuinely exciting group and we’re thrilled to be supporting them as they take their next steps in comedy’.

Published: 28 Aug 2026