HBO Max and WBD Access, Warner Bros. Discovery’s talent development division, have picked the 12 European writers who will participate in this year’s Script Engine Program.
Veteran producer and showrunner Frank Spotnitz, (The X-Files, The Man in the High Castle, Medici) will serve as lead facilitator and mentor on the four-month program which aims to help screenwriters develop original locally-rooted series concepts that they will pitch to HBO Max executives in November.
“European storytelling has never been in greater demand,” said Spotnitz. “Audiences around the world are looking for distinctive voices and stories that reflect different cultures and perspectives, and European writers are increasingly creating work that travels internationally. Script Engine is important because it doesn’t just help writers develop their craft, it introduces them to a collaborative way of working that empowers writers to do their best work. [The program] gives mid-level writers the confidence, skills and professional mindset to build sustainable international careers.”
The writers for the 2026 program include France’s Tolula Dada (Gangs of London, Grantchester), Justine Gautier (Petits Secrets en Famille, Leo Mattei), Storm Sigal-Battesti (Off Season, Carême); Germany’s Tunde Aladese (Transatlantic, Shuga), Stefanie Ren (A Thin Line, Nicht tot zu kriegen), and Ben Braeunlich (Tatort, Professor T.); Italy’s Tommaso Matano (Curon, Survivors), Emanuele Mochi (Zio Gianni), Simona Nobile (5 minuti prima); and Spain’s Jesica Aran (Campamento Newton, Bandidos), Lidia Fraga (Auga Seca, Montecristo) and Miguel Mayorga Moscoso.
The four-month program includes a series workshops, masterclasses and networking opportunities led by HBO Max executives and industry experts. During the program, writers will also benefit from the expertise of HBO Max market advisors for their local territories. The curriculum was developed together with the Series Mania Institute.
The initiative reflects HBO Max’s move to integrate its originals strategy, with both U.S. and international programming teams grouped together under HBO Max head of original programming Sarah Aubrey. HBO Max completed its European rollout this year, launching in several major territories, including Germany, France, Italy and the U.K..
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