Hot Shots 2026: Sanaya Buhariwala-Collins

“Conker is a small team with huge ambitions and Sanaya Buhariwala-Collins is the air in its tyres,” says Hannah Griffiths, head of adaptations at parent company Banijay UK.

Joining the scripted outfit as an assistant to its chief executives when it was formed three years ago, Sanaya has helped to build its development slate for the ground up, identifying new writers and championing emerging and diverse talent to her team while helping them turn nascent ideas into stories with a commercial sensibility.

“Sanaya isn’t afraid to deliver difficult notes, and handles all talent, irrespective of experience or age, with a sensitivity and professionalism of someone who has been in the industry for decades,” says Conker co-chief executive Kim Varvell.

She says Sanaya played a big part in getting Conker’s first two projects off the ground, helping run the writers’ room and find episodic writers, while providing notes and script support throughout.

On one pilot, Sanaya’s involvement earned her a production secretary credit and she recently also advocated passionately for the in-demand novel Death’s a Bitch by Eloise Roger, landing the rights to it, and is now steering its potential development.

Sanaya had only worked in TV for a short time prior to this, having joined 42 as an intern and becoming its assistant to its head of TV and head of development.

“Sanaya has TV running in her veins and has made a real impression on every who comes into contact with her,” says Griffiths. “She helps make Conker feel like the most welcoming and supportive home for writers and creatives.”