Leslie Banks and Constance Cummings reading the script for the 1938 TV adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac (c) BBC

*A quick update from our Reading Team*

Dear Writers who Submitted to BBC Writersroom Drama Scriptroom 12

We are just coming to the end of our first sift (first 10 pages) and we thought you might like to know that the standard of entry this year is insanely high. Consequently, the decision making process is a bit of a headache. So we just wanted to say thank you; reading lots of quality scripts is a luxury problem we haven’t experienced quite like this.

It’s been fantastic to receive almost 4000 scripts (3796 exactly) which capture such a vast array of voices, ideas and worlds.

You’ve talked about Brexit, explored dystopian futures, been drawn to Glaswegians, terrorists and time travelling. You’ve experimented with biopics, thrillers, period dramas, whodunnits, who's doing its (relationship dramas) and more besides. You've featured a cast of thousands, plenty, to two-handers, to monologues. You’ve shaken up middle England, dumped us in Uganda, and dropped metaphorical bombs in Dublin, Ohio and beyond. You’ve sent us movies, stage plays, radio dramas, dramedies and TV content of various durations.

In short, there is a genuine sense that each script could reveal that bit of unquantifiable magic that we’ll lazily describe as a ‘must read page turner’.

So this is just a thank you. Whatever you’re drinking, keep drinking it, it’s doing the trick.

More updates to follow in a week or so.

The Reading Team

NB All writers will receive a response at the end of the process (May TBC) but if your writing is anything to go by, the shortlisting could be a total nightmare and we could be deliberating for some time...