‘Adolescence’ co-creator Jack Thorne to preside over U.K. Writers’ Guild

Jack Thorne, best known for co-creating the coming-of-age Netflix hit Adolescence, has been elected to preside over the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB).

The acclaimed writer, currently balancing more than half a dozen projects, will step into the role following today’s WGGB AGM, succeeding Sandi Toksvig.

The former Great British Bake Off host has completed the maximum six-year term, a period that spanned the Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. writers’ strike and the rise of artificial intelligence.

“This is such a huge honour for me,” Thorne said. “I think the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain is a union to be hugely proud of. I was proud of it from the outside, and I’m delighted to now fight for it from the inside. And I do think we’re about to be in the battle of our lives.”

Thorne described the current landscape for writers as “brutal,” pointing to “the conservatism that has crept into commissioning” and warning of “vultures trying to snatch our copyright to feed their machines.”

He stressed, “We need the government to stand firm in protecting us.”

Thorne will serve a three-year term after being nominated to the WGGB Executive Council ahead of the AGM. Under union rules, the guild cannot disclose the identities or number of the other candidates.

RELATED: 'Adolescence' receives Emmy Award on first night of event