Hot Shots 2026: Paul Williams

Entering TV via a BBC Writersroom Midlands competition before scoring a place on Channel 4’s 4Screenwriting scheme, Paul Williams quickly made his name on BBC daytime drama Doctors. He clocked up 27 episodes over five years, working on the show into its final stretch and earning an RTS Midlands Awards nomination for a standalone episode dealing with restorative justice.

After writing an episode of Hope Street for BBC Northern Ireland and BritBox, Paul landed a major primetime gig on BBC3’s Bafta-nominated series What It Feels Like a Girl. An associated producer on the adaptation of Paris Lees’ memoir, he was trusted to write two of the eight episodes.

This has propelled Paul to the next level, with two script commissions in active development at the BBC, a place on a writers’ room for an Amazon Prime show, and an attachment to two large pieces of IP that have yet to be revealed.

Firebird Pictures executive producer Matthew Mosley is excited by Paul’s ability to tackle challenging material within the heart of mainstream TV drama. “The audience always sits at the centre of his thinking,” Mosley says.

“While often dealing with issues of identity and sexuality, his work aims at a big mainstream audience, providing thrilling and emotional journeys via characters who we absolutely identify with, even if the issues they face are unfamiliar.

“He can work in different modes and voices but always with an eye on the integrity of his work - what it’s saying and how it’s saying it - whether he’s working on someone else’s show or an original idea of his own. We’re excited to see Paul stretch his wings and take on bigger canvases - and for even larger audiences to know and love his work.”

Miramax UK creative director Carissa Hope Lynch credits Paul’s background in continuing drama with giving him “a practical prowess and immense patience”.

She adds: “Paul is an infinite well of fresh ideas, commercially-minded solutions and nuanced characterisation. You’d think that someone so experienced would be jaded, but what’s always struck me about Paul is his energy, optimism, and sheer resilience.

“He gently and intentionally reminds everyone why we’re here in the first place: to tell stories that compel and entertain, to bring joy, and to relish the wonders of that process as we find ourselves working together within it.”