Channel 4 thriller trainee opportunities 2026

Location: Cardiff

Get your first taste of TV drama production, working alongside industry professionals and developing skills in your chosen department.

BBC Studios are gearing up to shoot a Channel 4 thriller in Cardiff. We are interested in hearing from Wales-based individuals who are interested in drama production for trainee opportunities - subject to green light.

Our shows rely on large, highly skilled crews. This pipeline of talent is critical to the success of our productions and we are passionately committed to supporting the next wave of new entrants into the industry as the film and TV sector in the Wales continues to grow.

Our trainees learn on the job, working alongside peers and mentors with years of experience, knowledge and expertise. Training opportunities create pathways in to the world of scripted drama. Trainees spend time on set and on location, while learning the skills required for their chosen department. They start to build experience and develop an understanding of what it takes to have a successful, rewarding career in TV drama.

Art Department Trainee

Salary: National Minimum / Living Wage or above

Do you know instinctively how to build colour palettes and visual displays. Do you have a background in set design, interior design or window dressing?

Our Art department is responsible for creating and managing the overall design and visual style of our shows. As Art Department Trainee you will work closely with our Production Designer and Director, and learn how to realise their vision through the look and style of our shoots and set. Bringing your own flare and influences, we will encourage you to make suggestions about what looks good and will work on camera.

Trainee Locations Assistant

Salary: Real Living Wage or above

Our locations range from purpose built studios to busy city streets and boggy fields. Ensuring the location is accessible, safe and organised is a big job and the responsibility of the Locations department. Trainee Locations Assistant supports the team and the Locations Manager. They marshall areas to ensure they're protected from the public and field queries and questions. They also prepare and distribute directions for crew travelling to location, support with parking, and are generally responsible for keeping locations tidy and well maintained.

Costume Trainee

Salary: Real Living Wage or above

Armed with needle, iron, notepad and tape measure, this role is for people excited about costume with a basic level of dress making skills as well as an understanding of the software required for continuity. Perhaps you’re coming from theatre, have a fashion design qualification, or are a seamstress. Working with our costume department, you will learn the importance of continuity and what programmes we use to ensure we’re always accurate on our busy production.

Camera Trainee

Salary: Real Living Wage or above

Do you have a passion for cameras? Are you someone who enjoys capturing great shots and experimenting with how visual content is created? This opportunity is for aspiring camera professionals looking to build a career within the camera department in TV drama — gaining insight into how content is captured, technically supported and brought to life on a fast‑paced scripted production. Working under instruction from experienced camera team members, you’ll gain first‑hand experience of how a professional camera department operates on production. You’ll see how the camera team fits into the wider production, learning how crews plan, prepare and respond to the demands of a busy filming schedule.

Application Eligibility

• Due to our joint commitment to increasing off-screen Welsh representation, applicants must have a substantive base in Wales
• Be 18 years or older at the point of the start of the traineeship.
• Be fully available on dates for each respective role

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.