Ralph & Katie is a new Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One drama continuing the story of two of the best-loved characters from Peter Bowker's The A Word. Peter worked with five disabled writers in the creation of Ralph & Katie, most of whom had previously taken part in our Writers' Access Group. One of the writers, Lizzie Watson, explains what happened.
Ralph & Katie begins on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One on Wednesday 5th October with the whole series available on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer
Prior to joining the writing team for RALPH & KATIE, I’m not sure I would have called myself a writer. I had always written stuff, but kept my work squirrelled away in various folders on my computer and in my brain. I was mainly focused on script development, as I love working with writers and helping them to develop stories. Deep down, I always wanted to try on the writer’s hat though.
Joining the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writersroom's Writers Access Group changed a lot for me. It was brilliant to connect with other emerging writers, as well as learn more about navigating the industry. It was through this group that the RALPH & KATIE opportunity came up. I was already familiar with the world of THE A WORD and the chance to pitch a story in Peter Bowker’s wonderful universe was too exciting to pass up.
What most drew me to the series was the central relationship between Ralph and Katie as a newlywed couple. At the time of pitching for the show in 2020, I was engaged and in the process of planning a wedding. Early in the development process, I got married and went through the experience which Ralph and Katie did in the third series of THE A WORD. The guest list, the music, the pressures of The Big Day… and then what? I really related to that central premise. Being a newly married couple, trying to figure out who you are both individually and together.
The story of my episode was inspired by that experience of being in a couple and figuring out your own way of doing things. I was keen to explore how Ralph and Katie would negotiate their own customs and traditions, when their families would naturally be used to calling the shots. Nothing really exemplifies this dilemma more than Christmas! Every year, we all have to do a stocktake of our lives and decide who to spend this intense 24 hours with. It can be a lot of pressure, especially if you’re navigating different family dynamics and heated discussions about turkey. This felt like a good place to start for Episode 6.
The writers’ room took place on Zoom. Myself and the other writers – the delightful team of Annalisa Dinnella, Genevieve Barr, Tom Wentworth and Amy Trigg – were led by Peter, and supported by the fabulous combination of Executive Producer and Script Editor . This online process led to much hilarity, including my dog trying to eat my laptop, and our discovering that we’re all obsessed with cake. Working with this creative team has taught me an enormous amount and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity. Seeing our scripts brought to life by all the talented cast and crew – led by the fantastic and - has been a privilege.
Overall, the experience of working on RALPH & KATIE has genuinely changed my view on the world, as well as my place in it. I know I will take all the brilliant things I’ve learned with me for the rest of my life.
I think audiences can expect a lot from Ralph and Katie’s story. Laughter, tears, joy, fabulous music… The key thing I think they can expect is heart. We all love the show, and I think that shows in the end result. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Watch Ralph & Katie from Wednesday 5th October on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer
Meet the co-writers of Ralph & Katie
Find out more about our Writers' Access Group
Applications for the next Writers' Access Group will be open from 24th January to 18th April - find out full details on our blog