Demystifying Development: With Jackie Okwera.

Jackie is a screenwriter with a range of projects in development, including an adaptation of a hit Australian comedy drama for Lenny Henry's company, Esmerelda. Some of her credits include Constantine (Bad Robot/DC Comics/HBO Max), The Mallorca Files (Amazon Prime) and Emmerdale (ITV). She has also worked in writers' rooms for HBO, Apple TV, Disney, Sky, Netflix and Channel 4.

Before establishing herself as a screenwriter, Jackie spent over a decade working in TV and film development. She began her career as a script editor on Casualty, EastEnders, and Emmerdale before moving into development roles at leading indies, including Kudos, Hat Trick, and Nicola Shindler's Red Production Company. She later became Head of Development at Duck Soup Films in Leeds. During this time, Jackie worked with acclaimed writers such as Jed Mercurio, Danny Brocklehurst and Harlan Coben.

Jackie's success was recognised in 2018 when she became a BAFTA member, and she was named one of the Edinburgh TV Festival’s 'Ones to Watch' in 2021.