Television and BBC iPlayer

Commissioning decisions are made on a rolling basis and through specific tenders and invitations to pitch. 

All submissions should be sent to us via PiCoS.

What we do

BBC Cymru Wales commissioning team are at the forefront of the development and decision making process for drama, comedy and factual content on television and iPlayer. We commission the very best storytellers to do their very best work, portraying Wales as it is in all its forms with the intention of creating content to educate, inspire and entertain the whole of the UK. 

Current Opportunities

Commissioning opportunity: documentaries for new deepwatch YouTube channel

We’re commissioning twenty standalone documentaries for our new YouTube documentary channel deepwatch, aimed at engaging 16–24 year-olds across the UK. Each documentary will be at least 25 minutes long and we’re inviting production companies based in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the English regions to pitch their ideas now.

The deadline for ideas is 7 May 2026.

[Read the full brief on the BBC Commissioning website]

Who we are

Nick Andrews

Nick leads BBC Cymru Wales commissioning across television & iPlayer in scripted and unscripted. 

His recent scripted commissions include hit dramas Wolf, Steeltown Murders, Men Up and Lost Boy’s & Fairies and feature film Mr Burton. In unscripted premium boxsets Paranormal, Hunting Mr Nice & feature documentary Helmand: Frontline Story. He has also been responsible for launching BBC Cymru Wales comedy strategy green-lighting situational comedies In My Skin, Mammoth, Death Valley and the Golden Cobra. 

Julian Carey

Julian is a Commissioning Editor and responsible for a wide range of content including series like A Killing In Tiger Bay, Slammed, Wonders of the Celtic Deep, Valley Cops and Back In Time for The Factory as well as single documentaries like Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me, Heroes of Helmandand The Merthyr Mermaid.

He has a long career in production as an award winning radio and television producer. He returned to the BBC Wales in 2016 after working in development and production in the indie sector and making series for a number of broadcasters as well as the BBC.

Sian Harris

Sian oversees an array of factual series and singles for BBC One Wales and iPlayer and is co-execing several upcoming network co-commissions including BBC Three/BBC Wales series Hot Cakes. She’s always seeking the best, fresh new ideas with big audience appeal and covers content from documentaries to popular factual and fact ent. Recent commissions include the triple BAFTA Cymru nominated Black and Welsh, Lily: A Transgender Story and successful rig show The Wedding Dress Shop. She’s passionate about younger-skewing content as well as championing new talent and runs the BBC Cymru Wales New Documentary Directors’ Initiative. 

Paul Forde

Paul is responsible for the development and production of all comedy on BBC Wales. Throughout a long career in TV and radio he has been a vocal supporter and champion of Welsh comedy. 

He was Commissioning Editor for returning brands The Tuckers on BBC One Wales and In My Skin on BBC3. Recently he has overseen the production of a raft of network co-commissions including Death Valley (BBC1), Mammoth (BBC2) and The Golden Cobra (BBC3).   

Paul is happy to receive unsolicited scripts and pitches and is particularly interested in working with Welsh Indies who would like to specialise in comedy. 

Sorelle Neil

Sorelle joins the commissioning team after twenty years working on a wide variety of shows- her latest credit was producing BBC Wales’s landmark documentary A Killing in Tiger Bay for BBC Wales & BBC2.

A qualified journalist, she began her career in television news before moving onto the One Show and currently oversees a wide variety of BBC Wales’ key returning strands including Weatherman Walking & X-Ray.

Karen Lyons

Karen leads talent development for BBC Wales across all our television, audio and social platforms. She is passionate about finding the next generation of onscreen faces and continuing to develop our existing talent so they can flourish.

She is a qualified journalist and joins the commissioning team after more than 10 years working in production and development on a wide variety of programmes including the One Show, Crimewatch Roadshow and Amy Dowden: Body Shaming & Me.

Nicola Cook

Nicola co-ordinates many of our Commissioning processes, working closely with the team, and independent companies. She also works on areas such as sustainability and diversity, and programme compliance. She is responsible for looking after ideas submissions to BBC Wales, and also the running of all commissioning opportunities.   

Amy Behan

Amy plays a key role in managing team operations, working closely with the commissioning team to keep processes running smoothly. She maintains strong relationships with independent production companies across Wales, organises events, and coordinates awards for ELTV at BBC Cymru Wales.

How to get in touch

For general queries contact commissioningwales@bbc.co.uk

or write to us at The Commissioning Team, BBC Cymru Wales, 3 Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1FS

Submissions

All submissions should be sent to us via PiCoS.

For independent producers without a PiCoS account please contact a Commissioning Editor first to discuss your idea.

Please note -  Individuals and members of the public cannot use PiCoS. Please visit the skills and training area to find out how you can work with us and grow your career in television.

Drama
Please note that we are unable to accept unsolicited drama scripts/book submissions unless they come from represented writers (via an agent) or from independent production companies. If you are an unrepresented writer submit via the BBC’s Writersroom or make contact with an independent production company.Many of these independent companies are members of PACT or TAC - industry bodies representing the independent sector. They will be able to provide contact information for your chosen companies if necessary.

Comedy
We are primarily looking for scripted comedies from Welsh writers that tell a Welsh story and are rooted in Wales with wide appeal to a UK audience both in and outside Wales. We DO accept unsolicited scripts from individual writers, agents or production companies. At the moment we are not looking for sketch or panel show formats.