Jack Thorne Appointed President of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain
Jack Thorne, co-creator of "Adolescence," has been named the new president of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB). He succeeds Sandi Toksvig, who served the maximum term of six years, and is set to champion writers' rights amid concerns about commissioning conservatism and the rise of AI.
Thorne's Vision for the WGGB
Thorne expressed his commitment to supporting creatives in what he anticipates will be a challenging period. He highlighted the need to combat "creeping conservatism" in commissioning and to protect writers' copyright from exploitation by AI. He emphasized the importance of unity and collective action to defend writers' interests in an increasingly "brutal" landscape.
"The landscape for writers is brutal right now, and the conservatism that has crept in to commissioning is vital to combat. But more than all that, there are people coming after our copyright, vultures who’d steal it to put into their machines and we need to make sure the government is robust in defending us."
Thorne's appointment comes at a crucial time for the WGGB, as it navigates the evolving challenges facing writers in the digital age.
WGGB's Role and Representation
As a leading creative union, the WGGB represents professional writers across various media, including TV, film, theatre, audio, books, comedy, poetry, animation, and video games. The guild advocates for improved pay and working conditions, and lobbies for the protection of writers' rights on a wide range of issues.
- Negotiates better pay and conditions for writers.
- Lobbies and campaigns on issues affecting writers' rights.
- Represents writers in TV, film, theatre, and other media.
Thorne's Extensive Writing Career
Jack Thorne is a prolific British writer known for his socially resonant screenwriting and his focus on under-represented groups. His credits include Netflix's Toxic Town, the global hit Adolescence, and work on Sam Mendes's upcoming Beatles biopic. He also co-wrote the This Is England trilogy with Shane Meadows, and adapted Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy.
Toksvig's Legacy and Farewell
Sandi Toksvig achieved significant milestones during her tenure as president, including negotiating a landmark deal with Netflix for TV writers in the UK and launching the New Play Scheme to support new stage play commissioning. She noted the challenges faced during her presidency, including the pandemic, the rise of AI, and cuts to the arts.
"Unions are precious and more important than they have ever been; we must hold on to them tight. It’s been a privilege to serve, and I wish my successor Jack Thorne the very best – I know he’ll make a huge success of it."
She expressed pride in the union's resilience and its dedication to protecting writers' interests.
