Waris Islam

Writer / Director

Agent Biography Credits Download CV

Biography

Waris Islam is an award-winning writer and director with experience in film, television, and radio. His television directing credits include THE BAY, VERA, HOLBY CITY, EMMERDALE, EASTENDERS and HOLLYOAKS. Waris started his career writing for the BBC Radio drama series SILVER STREET and directing award-winning short films such as SHORT and THE FAMILY PORTRAIT. He also wrote a Coming Up for Channel 4 called THE CIRCLE and wrote and directed on BISHAASH, a drama series he co-created for BBC Media Action. Waris’ passion for elevated genres, thrillers and dramas is expressed in his diverse and international slate of film and television projects. As a writer/director he previously developed projects with Hardy, Son & Baker and Buccaneer Media. Waris holds a BA in Film Studies, MA in Screen Arts and an MA in Screenwriting. He is on the BBC Hotlist and is a BAFTA, Director’s UK and RTS member.

Credits

In Development

Production Company Notes
FIRESTARTER

Writer, feature script in development

Television

Production Company Notes
THE BAY S5
2025 		Tall Story Pictures / ITV

Director, episodes 4-6
EMMERDALE
2024 		ITV

Director, 4 episodes
OUTLANDER S7
2022 		Left Bank Pictures / Sony

Second Unit director
VERA S11
2022 		ITV Studios/ITV

Director, 1 episode (120 mins)
HOLBY CITY
2018 – 2019 		BBC

Director, 6 episodes

EASTENDERS
2018 – 2019 		BBC

Director, 26 episodes
(including Christmas Eve 2017 episode)
MR SELFRIDGE (SHADOWING)
2015 		ITV Studios/ITV

Mentored by director Robert Del Maestro as part of Creative Skillset & Directors UK’s High End Drama Mentoring Scheme
BISHAASH
2009 – 2011 		BBC MEDIA ACTION

Co-Creator, Writer and Director of 9 episodes (including the finale), Series Script Editor
24 x 30min action adventure series for BBC MEDIA ACTION (reached over 50 million viewers)
HOLLYOAKS
2007 – 2008 		Lime Pictures/Channel 4

Director, 7 episodes
Winner, British Soap Award for ‘Best Exit Scene’ 2007
THE CIRCLE
2008 		Channel 4

Writer, original 30min drama for Channel 4’s COMING UP scheme Directed by Tinge Krishnan

Short Films

Production Company Notes
THE FAMILY PORTRAIT
2005

Writer/Director, Short Film
Sponsored by 02
Nominated, Best British Short Film, Raindance Film Festival 2005
SHORT
2003 		UK Film Council

Writer/Director, Short Film
UK Film Council First Light Fund
Winner, Best Sound – Can Film Festival 2005
Yorkshire Film Award nominee – Leeds International Film Festival
Waris Islam
Waris Islam
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