The Kay Mellor Fellowship

8th June 2023

Written by:

Gaynor Mellor, Creative Director

We are delighted to be continuing the Kay Mellor Fellowship starting January 2024. This ground-breaking investment in new writing was created by Leeds Playhouse and Rollem in 2019, when it was awarded to Bradford writer Kat Rose-Martin. Its future is now secured for three years from 2024 in memory of our founder Kay Mellor, with key additional investment from the BBC and Leeds City Council.

The Kay Mellor Fellowship is a year-long paid opportunity for a writer based in Yorkshire and the Humber to develop their writing for stage and screen.

The Kay Mellor Fellow 2024 will spend twelve months on attachment with Leeds Playhouse and Rollem Productions. During the 12 months they will:

·       Work in tandem with Leeds Playhouse and Rollem to create a new stage play and a TV pitch starting from the same idea.

·       Receive a place on the BBC Writersroom Voices writer development programme where they will hone their skills and industry knowledge through a range of workshops, masterclasses, panels and industry talks.

Kay put Northern voices on the stage and screen and let down the ladder to support and nurture so many new writers. I'm proud to be a tiny part of her legacy and thrilled that this scheme is continuing so go for it, grab the bull by the horns and apply ”

Kat Rose Martin (inaugural Kay Mellor Fellow)

To find out more about the Kay Mellor Fellowship visit: https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/job/the-kay-mellor-fellowship/

Applicants are invited to submit one pre-existing script for consideration along with a single page synopsis of the idea they would like to develop.

Writers must be based in Yorkshire and must have previously written up to three professionally produced plays, plus have an idea for a new full length production. They should have an interest in writing for television but have no prior credits as a screenwriter.


Kirsty Taylor is the Kay Mellor Fellow for 2024. Applications for 2025 will open later this year.

Kay was a kind and generous champion of emerging writers and a supporter of our work at BBC Writersroom. It is a privilege for us to be able to continue this work by supporting the fellowship in her name ”

Jessica Loveland (BBC Head Of New Writing)

In addition to the Fellowship, Leeds Playhouse is also launching The Kay Mellor Fund which will raise money to nurture local writers - something that was always very close to Kay's heart. This fund will support locally rooted emerging writers through bespoke investment, mentoring and training opportunities.

Find out more and donate online here.

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