Niall Grant-Rowlands, who graduated in 2023 with a degree in Television Production, is one of five up-and-coming young writers to receive the honour.  

Kris Green, Training Executive at BBC Studios, recently announced the appointment, congratulating the “five standout talents” who will spend a month in the Elstree story office to prepare their scripts for their individual episodes.  

Niall is no stranger to British soaps, having completed his final-year placement in the Emmerdale storyline office, and written two episodes for the Welsh soap opera Rownd a Rownd while at university.  

And for this latest challenge he has received expert guidance from writing mentors, editorial teams and Shannon Britton, Development Editor of EastEnders. 

Niall said: “It’s a surreal feeling to say I’ll be writing an episode of EastEnders. We had an insightful week at EastEnders HQ in Elstree last year, where we had sessions with three core writers of the show, along with the editorial and production teams to get a full overview of how the soap comes together. One of the highlights was seeing the Queen Vic in person!  

“Everything we learned in that week helped massively with writing a trial episode script mirroring the strict deadlines they have on the show. It was fantastic getting to work one-on-one with the show’s incredible Development Editor who helped us put our own stamp on a script while also making sure it felt like an EastEnders episode.  

Niall cited the opportunities he received on his Television Production course as preparing him for his next challenge. He said: “Studying at Leeds Trinity and making the most of guest lecturers we had – some from the soap world – was an incredible experience. The annual Journalism and Media Week gave us the opportunity to hear from industry names you never imagine to be in the same room with.  

“I had incredibly supportive and hard-working tutors who I’ll always be grateful to for helping me get to where I am.”  

Richard Greatrex, Programme Leader for Television Production at Leeds Trinity University said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for Niall and a great next step for a talented graduate. We’re proud to have supported his journey in the School of Digital and Screen Media at Leeds Trinity. I believe the tailored support we give and the industry placements they participate in help them launch successful creative careers.”  

The School of Digital and Screen Media at Leeds Trinity University offers a vibrant and supportive learning environment tailored to ignite students’ imagination and fuel their creative aspirations. With 98% of graduates in employment or further study 15 months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2024), the School offers industry-standard facilities and placement opportunities in the vibrant city of Leeds, which is a thriving digital and media hub outside of London.  

To explore courses in the School of Digital and Screen Media, visit the Leeds Trinity University website.