Now in its 26th year, the Disney | ABC Television Group Writing Program will launch the 2015 group of 8 writers on Monday, February 2. On the comedy front is web-series “East Willy B” co-creator Julia Grob (New York, NY), script coordinator Amy-Jo Perry (Garner, NC) and executive producer’s assistant Graham Thiel (Los Angeles, CA). This year’s drama line-up includes award-winning graphic novelist Brandon Easton (Baltimore, MD), writers’ assistants Jewel McPherson (Suffolk, VA) and Miguel Nolla (Miami, FL) as well as Manhattan Beach Healthcare Partners Lead Physician Dr. David Renaud (Toronto, Canada) and screenwriter and former indie record label owner Matt K. Turner (Honolulu, HI).
Thanks to the support of ABC executive producers Sunil Nayar (“Revenge”) and Adam F. Goldberg (“The Goldbergs”) as well as ABC Family showrunners Dave Holden (“Young & Hungry”) and Jeff Schecter (“Stitchers”), options have been exercised for 2014 Program Writers Nancy Kiu, Lewaa Nasserdeen, Lucas Brown Eyes and April Fitzsimmons to continue staff writer services. Additional successes include Program Writers penning a total of five produced scripts during the 2013-14 season. Writers Davy Perez and Ubah Mohamed wrote episodes for upcoming ABC dramas “American Crime” and “The Whispers” respectively. Nancy Kiu wrote the “Kindred” episode of “Revenge” and Lucas Brown Eyes wrote the “Young & Car-less” episode of ABC Family’s “Young & Hungry.” April Fitzsimmons will soon start penning an episode of ABC Family’s upcoming procedural drama “Stitchers.”
Tim McNeal, Vice President, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion said, “We strive to identify writers who can contribute unique and multi-cultural perspectives to the creative process, and the validation and support we have received from Disney|ABC producers is both inspiring and incredibly rewarding.”
“Revenge” executive producer Sunil Nayar said, “Congratulations to the latest group of Disney|ABC Writing Program writers. In an industry that’s challenging for new voices to get the opportunities they deserve, the Creative Talent Development & Inclusion team not only presents showrunners with enthusiastic additions to their writers’ rooms, but nurtures that talent to hit the ground running. In my experience, alumni from this program are the next generation of producer: collaborative, confident and creative. 2014 Program Writer Nancy Kiu has been a star in every capacity on our show and we thank you for sending her our way and making it possible for her to remain on staff until ‘Revenge’ wraps this season.”