Channel 5 is piloting a new director training scheme, aimed at creating opportunities for diverse talent in episodic drama. The inaugural scheme, developed in collaboration with production company Clapperboard, is designed to provide emerging directors with the opportunity to step up into prime-time episodic drama.

Clapperboard has selected Munir Malik as the first director to participate in the pilot scheme. Having previously directed episodes of Channel 4’s Hollyoaks and ITV’s Emmerdale, Malik will now be tasked with the challenge of helming an episode of Channel 5’s cruise ship crime drama The Good Ship Murder. Produced by Clapperboard for Channel 5, the episode will air later this year on the channel as part of season 3. During production, Malik will work closely with lead director Steve Hughes and receive support from Clapperboard through production and post-production.

“We’ve achieved real momentum with our drama on Channel 5 and as the slate expands further, it’s really important that we continue broadening our talent pool behind the scenes,” Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+ commented. “We know how important it is for new directors to get credits in primetime TV and we hope this scheme will be an important stepping stone to directors, particularly at a time when the traditional breakthrough opportunities in continuing drama are getting fewer…”

Mike Benson, Managing Director, Clapperboard commented: “We know what a rich seam of directing talent work in continuing drama – but often the opportunities to move on to direct a peak drama series can be limited. We hope this partnership with 5 will provide an ongoing opportunity for Directors to further diversify their experience and CV.”

Malik added: “It’s a major career milestone to be given the chance to step up on the primetime show, The Good Ship Murder. I see it as an opportunity to learn and grow with the support of the brilliant director Steve Hughes and the teams at Channel 5 and Clapperboard.  I am very much looking forward to getting stuck in.”

The pilot scheme will run throughout this year, with the intention of cementing it in 2026, offering more directors the opportunity to break into episodic drama via a wider application process.

The announcement comes following news that Channel 5 will relaunch as 5 in March, with the service set to provide a refreshed identity, uniting its linear, streaming, and digital platforms under one roof to create a seamless viewing experience for audiences.

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Tags: Channel 5, Diversity, production