So does it matter? That there are no women writing for Doctor Who. And only one since the show’s re-launch in 2005? Forget the glass ceiling, is there a gatekeeper at the door of the TARDIS, forbidding entry to anyone with a womb?
When did it become such a boys’ club? How do we break in? Personally, it’s not for me but, as Voltaire (nearly) put it, I’ll defend to the death any woman’s right to write: ENTER CYBERWOMEN.
In the same way that people claim there are no famous Belgians (when there SO are!), the glass-ceiling gatekeepers claim you can count British women scriptwriters on one hand and still have a digit free for texting.
Not true. We’re talking drama? Okay, how about Sally Wainwright, Heidi Thomas, Paula Milne, Gwyneth Hughes, Julie Gearey … I could go on. Comedy-wise, there’s Miranda Hart, Sue Perkins, Georgia Pritchett, Jo Brand, Vicki Pepperdine, Jo Scanlan … ooh, loads more.
I’d never claim that women are better writers than men because we’re not. We do, however, bring different voices and viewpoints to the table. I don’t set out to write about women. It just happens. I created Homefront for ITV last year, about Army wives. And my recent sitcom for BBC Radio Scotland, Managing Izzy, was about a flaky female boss and her capable PA. It stands to reason: more women writers mean more interesting parts for a wider range of women. Women like us.
If you’re burning to write a script, radio’s a great place to start. TV is definitely a harder arena to infiltrate but you just have to tell yourself that you’re an ambitious producer’s next BAFTA. And have a thick skin … and a sonic screwdriver so that you can bust the lock on the TARDIS!
Sue Teddern
Sue Teddern is co-creator of skribita, which is running a Writing for TV weekend workshop (Friday 26th to Sunday 28th April) with Jenny Lecoat (pictured) at the stunningly quirky Artist Residence Hotel in Brighton.
If you quote ‘Funny Women’ when you book, there’s a £50 discount on the ‘with accommodation’ price. Non-accommodation tickets are available for £69. For more information, visit www.skribita.com
