When Characters Become People

One of the most enjoyable parts of writing television drama is reaching the point where the characters stop feeling like creations and start feeling like people.

When I first began developing Escorted, I knew the story I wanted to tell. I understood Max's dilemma, the world he was stepping into and the emotional consequences of the choices he would make.

What I didn't fully appreciate was how much the other characters would shape the series.

Mandy wasn't originally intended to have the importance she now has. Chub has become far more than simply "the best friend". Donna's perspective adds another layer to the family dynamics. Even the supporting characters have started revealing parts of themselves that weren't there in the earliest drafts.

That's one of the great joys of writing. You begin believing you know where you're heading before gradually realising you're listening just as much as you're creating.

I recently put together the character board above as a way of stepping back and looking at everyone's individual journey. Each person wants something different. Each has something to lose. Each believes they're doing the right thing. When those goals clash, the drama and emotion follow naturally.

I've always believed the most interesting stories aren't built around plot twists or clever dialogue. They're built around believable people making understandable decisions, even when those decisions ultimately prove to be the wrong ones.

The further I develop Escorted, the more I realise the series isn't really about escorting at all. It's about loneliness. Family. Secrets. It's about the lengths ordinary people will go to protect the people they love.

The story is important, of course, but it's the people who stay with you. I still feel as though I'm getting to know these characters, and every draft brings another surprise.

Maybe that's when you know they're no longer just characters.