Waris Islam
Writer / Director
Film, TV & Theatre
Film, TV & Theatre
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.
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 |
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 |
HOLLYOAKS 2007 - 2008 | Lime Pictures/Channel 4 | Director, 7 episodes |
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 | |
SHORT 2003 | UK Film Council | Writer/Director, Short Film |