Jack Thorne warns UK TV drama faces funding crisis

Jack Thorne, a successful British writer, has raised concerns about the future of UK television dramas. His warning comes as his show, "Adolescence," gains popularity on Netflix. Thorne believes that without proper funding, unique and distinctively British shows could disappear. In a recent interview, Thorne pointed out several challenges facing the industry. UK broadcasters are experiencing budget cuts, and issues with international financing are making it harder to produce new content. He highlighted the importance of funding lower-budget series to support emerging writers and diverse storytelling. Thorne expressed concern that young writers may be discouraged from sharing their own experiences. He noted that the industry has become overly focused on crime dramas. To prevent a collapse in local storytelling, he called on the UK government to introduce tax breaks and a content fund funded by streaming services like Netflix. Although UK ministers are aware of these issues, they are cautious about making quick changes. Thorne argues that any new measures should promote collaboration with streaming platforms rather than punitive actions. He believes it’s essential to work together to sustain the television industry. "Adolescence" quickly became a hit after moving from Amazon Prime Video to Netflix, gathering millions of views. Thorne mentioned that the show was not pitched to UK broadcasters, as funding would have been challenging. He remains hopeful that changes can help preserve the future of British television dramas.