We look for the individuality and magic in every young person that we train.
The Television Workshop train students between the ages of 7 and 21.
"Chicken Town" - Photographer Jessica Sansom
“Workshop doesn’t look precious but what you get from it is precious.
Cherish it.”
Vicky McClure MBE - Line of Duty / Trigger Point / This is England
Who we are
The Television Workshop is a BAFTA award winning drama group and TV casting resource with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Founded in 1983, and a registered charity since 2012, the group has bases in both Nottingham and Manchester.
At the Television Workshop we look for the individuality in every young person that we train. Our students are authentic. We don’t want you to recognise a Television Workshop student because they are all the same. We want you to know that they are hardworking, truthful in their performance and willing to listen, learn and deliver.
Over the years a number of our students have gone on to great success in the industry. We have award winning actors, writers and directors as well as editors and production crew. Many others go on to successful careers outside of the industry, working in everything from construction to medicine. We’re incredibly proud of all of them and they all carry a little bit of Workshop magic into everything they do.
As a charity, The Television Workshop is able to keep fees affordable and offer bursary places, purely based on talent.
Showreel featuring some of our previous students
Our Patrons
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Samantha Morton
Workshop alumni Samantha Morton is an actor, writer, director and musician. Her incredible career in film and TV most recently includes roles in "The Whale", "She Said" and "The Serpent Queen". Samantha has been a patron of The Workshop since it became a charity in 2012! She has cast and directed Workshoppers many times including as recently as 2024!
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Shane Meadows
Shane is a writer, director and producer whose relationship with The Workshop goes back almost 30 years. Throughout his career he has constantly come to Workshop to cast his projects. Shane’s work with our young actors and alumni includes "A Room for Romeo Brass", "This is England" and "The Gallows Pole".
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Vicky McClure MBE
Workshop alumni Vicky McClure is an actor and producer best known for her work in "This is England", Line of Duty" and "Trigger Point". In 2023 Vicky starred in "Without Sin" which was produced by her own company, BYO Films, and starred many current students and alumni. It was even shot in Notts! Vicky is a committed supporter of the Workshop and became a patron in 2023.
“I’m so thankful for my time in Workshop. It helped me grow as a performer and gain confidence in myself and my ability.”
Jorden Myrie - Stephen / Screw / Mood / The Strays
What we do
The Television Workshop trains young people between the ages of 7 and 21 at its bases in Nottingham and Manchester. Sessions are held weekly and taught in three ages groups: 7 - 11 years, 11 - 16 years and 16 - 21 years. We also run a group for recent alumni.
We train our members in all aspects of performance for television, film, radio and stage. Our primary focus is on training for screen.
Entry to the group is by audition. Auditions are held annually in April and May but you can apply at any time of year.
We are a registered charity and our fees are kept deliberately low to make them as affordable as possible. We also have bursaries and part bursaries available.
You don’t have to have any experience of acting to apply. You do need to have passion, commitment, and a willingness to learn.
We take our responsibility for working with children very seriously. But it goes beyond that – our mission is not only to support and develop all young people we work with but to expect the highest standards from them in how they work together. For more detail please see our Safeguarding policy and feel free to come and talk to us to find out more.
Our success
Over the years our work has been recognised by the industry. Many of our students have gone on to great success.
How to support us
The Television Workshop is a charity. In order to keep our fees affordable we rely on support and are very lucky to receive it from the TV and film industry, local businesses and individuals and Alumni. Their help and support ensures that we can continue to keep our training inclusive and available to all.
“Workshop helped me find the tools I use in my work. I feel I owe my career to the place.”
Anjli Mohindra - Munich / Bodyguard / Dr Who / Vigil
How to apply
Our auditions are held annually in April and May each year.
You can apply at any time during the year by completing the application form online and we will register your details and get in touch once the next round of auditions approaches. The auditions are an hour long, group session in which we’ll play some games and work on simple improvisation exercises.
You do not need to prepare anything and our aim is to make them a fun experience and not at all stressful.
Meet the team
The Television Workshop is run by experienced, hard working staff and supported by a dedicated Board of industry professionals and experts in the specific fields that impact our group.
“The best part of the week every week. It made an actor of me. I am forever grateful!”
Aisling Loftus - A Discovery of Witches / War & Peace / Mr Selfridge
Contact us
For all of our Nottingham and Manchester contact details just click on the button below.
