from Londonderry has been awarded ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland Drama's receiving a Β£2,000 cash prize and the position of Writer in Residence at ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland for six months. During that time he will gain an introduction to the world of television drama.
McGilloway is already the bestselling author of two critically acclaimed series of crime novels, Inspector Benedict Devlin and DCI Lucy banks. His winning entry, Little Emperors, is an accomplished Belfast set script, introducing two brand new detectives.
On winning the award, McGilloway said: "Iβm thrilled to have won the Tony Doyle Award and to have the opportunity to develop my writing career further with the support of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Northen Ireland Drama. As a crime writer, Iβm particularly happy to have a chance to learn from a team which, with shows like and , is producing some of the most interesting and exciting UK crime series on TV at the momentβ.
The awards were judged by Stephen Wright, Head of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland, Head of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom, Sarah Stack, Senior Script Executive, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland and Adrian Dunbar, of the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Two hit network drama .
Sarah Stack, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland's Senior Script Executive, commented: "We were all impressed with the quality of writing submitted in this yearβs Tony Doyle Award. I was genuinely excited by the writing and ideas of all the shortlisted writers and I really enjoyed meeting them all. We look forward to working with Brian who has so much passion for television and is a skilfull storyteller."
Adrian Dunbar, who acted alongside , added βTony would have loved Brianβs script, as he loved drama with a political angle. I have fond memories of him chortling contentedly as a script uncovered a piece of chicaneryβ.
The judges also acknowledged Eoin OβConnorβs huge achievement in writing β30 Eggsβ and presented him with a cash prize of Β£1000. ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland also plans to nurture his development and talent as a TV writer.
Kate Rowland, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom said: β30 Eggs was an extraordinary piece of writing that lived on long after you had put the script down. Set in Rwanda, Eoinβs love of his characters, and the world they inhabited, shone through and made an impact on all of us judges as we went on their journey with them.β