WBD Access Announces 2026 Unlock Unscripted Program Participants

Rising Producers from Across the Globe Participate in Career Development Intensive Designed to Help Advance the Next Generation of Unscripted Television Showrunners

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) today announced the official cohort of producers for the 2026 WBD Access Unlock Unscripted Program. The group features ten talented mid-level producers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland and Sweden. The announcement follows the completion of this year's weeklong career development intensive at WBD offices in New York.

Now in its fourth cycle, the WBD Access Unlock Unscripted Program identifies producers from across the globe who aspire to advance their careers and gain exposure to lifestyle genres within unscripted television. To date, approximately 70% of alumni have been placed on WBD productions, including 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing and Tournament of Champions (Food Network), House Hunters International (HGTV), Bachelor Mansion (Warner Bros. Television Unscripted), Belle Collective (OWN), Pamela and Jay (TLC) and Glow Up (Warner Bros. International.

This year's cohort further expands the program's international reach, welcoming participants from Sweden and Poland for the first time.

The 2026 Access Unlock Unscripted Program participants are:

• Zuelika Brown Real Housewives of London, Big Brother
• Emmanuel "Mani" D'Whyte Britain's Got Talent, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
• Bridget Fox Love Match: Atlanta, Real Housewives of Potomac
• Kiara Harris Married at First Sight, We Got Time Today
• Tabitha Harris Project Runway, Beast Games
• Gabrielle Kuse Pimple Popper, Love is Blind
• Jadwiga "Jadi" Michalska Killer Evidence, Long Way Home
• Akeem Morrow Chopped, Ready to Love
• Ariel Norfleet Roast my Rental, That Thrifting Show
• Vanessa Caris Zamora Love Island, Bachelor in Paradise

This cycle's curriculum featured workshops on pitching and development, personal branding, budgeting, leadership and feedback, alongside discussions focused on international formats, production management, showrunning and post-production. Participants also gained a behind-the-scenes look at food television production through access to the state-of-the-art Food Network Kitchen, explored the creative process behind WBD unscripted programming and took part in interview preparation sessions, networking opportunities and hands-on Avid editing training.

Throughout the week, the cohort connected with executives, showrunners and producers from across Warner Bros. Discovery's unscripted portfolio, including Food Network President Betsy Ayala and Warner Bros. Television Unscripted SVP Programming and Development Bridgette Theriault. A highlight of the program was a fireside chat with HGTV stars Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt, who shared insights from their careers in unscripted television and participated in a conversation with the cohort about navigating the industry and building long-term success.

"It was a privilege to connect with this talented group of producers and share what we've learned throughout our journey in unscripted television," said Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt. "Getting to pull back the curtain on what goes into a home renovation series sparked some great conversations about storytelling, collaboration and the work that happens behind the scenes. The thoughtfulness of their questions and the perspectives they brought to the discussion made it clear that the future of unscripted television is in good hands."

"Since 2023, WBD Access Unlock Unscripted Program has helped create career opportunities for emerging producers across Warner Bros. Discovery's unscripted lifestyle portfolio," said Grace Moss, VP of Inclusion Pipeline Programs for Warner Bros. Discovery. "This year's cohort reflects the continued evolution of the program, bringing together talented producers from across the globe. Developing emerging talent is at the heart of WBD Access, and we're proud to help create opportunities for the next generation of storytellers."

The WBD Access Unlock Unscripted Program was developed in collaboration with partners across Warner Bros. Discovery's domestic and international unscripted portfolio, including Food Network, HGTV, TLC, OWN, Magnolia Network, Warner Bros. Television Unscripted, Warner Bros. International Television Production, Wall to Wall and discovery+.

WBD Access connects emerging talent with Warner Bros. Discovery's content, brands and creative community through talent development programs, mentorship, placement opportunities and industry exposure, helping support the next generation of storytellers across the media and entertainment industry. For more information about WBD Access programs, visit WBD Access.

###

About Warner Bros. Discovery:

Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world's most differentiated and complete portfolio of branded content across television, film, streaming and gaming. Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, HBO Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.