TIME & LOCATION
About
Chair
SPONSOR
Panel
Commissioning Executive, BBC Northern Ireland
Heather Larmour is the BBC Commissioning Executive in Northern Ireland for BBC Writers and Drama Commissioning, working on BLUE LIGHTS (Series 1-2), THE WOMAN IN THE WALL, WRECK (Series 2) and the forthcoming second series of Steven Knight’s SAS ROGUE HEROES. She also works alongside Cathy Quinn in the Belfast hub of the BBC Writers team, which runs development programmes to discover, develop and champion new and experienced writing talent. Prior to this, Heather worked as a Development Executive and Script Editor at Kudos, script editing ITV’s GRANTCHESTER (Series 6 & 7), BBC’s SAS ROGUE HEROES (series 1), BBC Two’s RESPONSIBLE CHILD, and the BBC Comedy pilot, BUMPS. Heather began her career in BBC NI’s Drama department where she was a Radio Drama Producer for a number of years, producing and directing drama and readings for BBC Radio 4, Radio 3 and Radio 4 Extra.
Screenwriter
Noel McCann is a Northern Irish screenwriter whose darkly comedic style is influenced by his experiences working as a police offer for more than a decade. His latest project which airs in November 2024, is GUNPOWDER SIEGE, a factual drama for Sky History (Lightbox Entertainment). Having also written an episode on series two of BLUE LIGHTS for BBC (Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films), Noel was also an additional writer in the originating writer’s rooms for series one. Noel is also developing original dramas with House Productions, New Pictures, and Conker Pictures. Noel was a beneficiary of the BBC 'Voices' and 'Pilot' schemes, in addition to NI Screen's 'New Writer Focus'. He is fortunate to call showrunner legend, Emma Frost, his mentor. Noel McCann is represented by Jessica Cooper at Curtis Brown.
Screenwriter & Playwright
Fionnuala Kennedy is a Northern Irish screenwriter and playwright, based in Belfast. She is currently developing an original TV series with Hat Trick Productions. As a theatre-maker, she also has a new stage musical currently under commission with Prime Cut Productions. Most recently, she has written PROJECT CHILDREN for Brassneck Theatre Company (Lyric Theatre, 2024). She was also one of ten writers on the National Theatre’s Connections Programme 2021/22 with a play called HUNT, as well as being selected for BBC Writers’ Drama Room 2021/22, where she worked as a shadow writer on THE DUMPING GROUND (BBC). Her play REMOVED, produced by Prime Cut Productions, explored the lived experience of young people in care in partnership with VOYPIC. It won the 2020 Zebbie award for Best Play. Fionnuala is represented by Catherine Goldstone at the Haworth Agency.
Screenwriter & Actor
Bronágh Taggart is a Northern Irish screenwriter and actor, based in Belfast. Currently writing one episode of Lisa McGee’s new series HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST for Netflix (Hat Trick Productions), Bronágh has also written an episode on series two of BLUE LIGHTS for BBC (Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films). Bronágh is also developing an original series for Two Cities TV, Conker Pictures, and Kudos and has written the pilot of a series based on an idea by Lewis Arnold on LESLEY MOLSEED for ITV and The Forge. Also an actress, Bronágh’s screen credits include: THE DEVIL’S HOUR (Amazon; Hartswood Films), DERRY GIRLS (Channel 4; Hat Trick Productions), THE FALL (BBC; Artists Studio), the BAFTA-winning OCCUPATION (BBC; Kudos) and BEST: HIS MOTHER’S SON (BBC). Bronágh participated in a BBC Writers development residential when she was writing for a teenage audience. Bronágh is represented by Nick Barron at United Agents.
Screenwriter
Matthew McDevitt is a Northern Irish screenwriter, based in Derry. He currently has projects in development with Hat Trick Productions, Deadpan Pictures, and Wild Atlantic. Having recently been chosen for BBC Writer’s Pilot scheme, he is working on a full script commission for Hartswood Films. A project of his also appeared on The Brit List 2023 with 13 industry recommendations and is currently in development with Gaze Pictures/Anton Corp. He also recently wrote an episode of CASUALTY due for broadcast in February 2025. Matt was selected for both BBC Writers’ Belfast Voices and Drama Room, Danú Greenlight Lab, and he was previously a finalist for the Mammoth Screen/BBC Northern Ireland award. Winner of the BBC Northern Ireland/Element Pictures award, he was commissioned to write comedy drama THE SEEKER. Matt was also a member of the writer’s room for series two of BLUE LIGHTS for BBC (Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films). His BBC Radio 4 short stories include HANDY NUMBER and SHE NAMED US. Matt is represented by Francesca Devas at the Independent Talent Group.
