DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION LAUNCHES NEW TWO-YEAR FORMAT FOR SCRIPTED DIRECTING PROGRAM AND UNVEILS 2026 DIRECTING PROGRAM COHORTS

Disney Entertainment Television (DET) today announced the cohorts for the 2026 DET Directing Program, as well as a new two-year format for the scripted program. Designed to champion and nurture emerging creative talent, the programs guarantee participants the opportunity to direct on a Disney series, alongside professional mentorship, on-set shadowing experiences and unparalleled access to Disney’s creative executives.

The DET Directing Program has launched a new two-year format for its scripted cohort, offering participating directors more time to fully immerse themselves in the worlds of their assigned series and build relationships on set and in the broader Disney creative community.

In the first year, the director cohort will participate in a professional development curriculum, strengthen their networks and receive shadowing and mentorship on their assigned shows. In the second year, participants will direct their episode and continue engaging in tailored learning and networking to support their next chapters.

“The DET Directing Program has always been about giving rising directors the hands-on experience, relationships and creative opportunities they need to build real momentum in their careers,” said Hayma Washington, vice president, Creative Talent Development and Inclusion. “With a two-year scripted format, we can provide even more time and mentorship to help participants hone their craft, build their networks and step confidently into the creative vision of the shows they’re helping bring to life.”

“For more than 25 years, these programs have been a launchpad for some of the most exciting directing careers in television,” said Karey Burke, president, 20th Television. “I’m excited that 20th Television can offer emerging directors even more access to our productions and can’t wait to watch the next cohorts grow into the storytellers and leaders that our shows — and this industry — need next.”

The 2026-2028 DET Directing Program – Scripted will add 20th Television and ABC’s “High Potential,” “The Rookie: North,” “Scrubs” and “Shifting Gears,” as well as 20th Television’s “Tracker,” to its impressive roster of scripted series. Other participating shows include “9-1-1,” “The Rookie” and “Will Trent.”

The 2026-2028 scripted directing cohort and their show assignments include Kristen Buckels Cantrell (“Shifting Gears”), Nicole Dorsey (“The Rookie: North”), Winter Dunn (“The Rookie”), Melissa Fisher (“Will Trent”), Talia Light Rake (“Scrubs”), Eric Lin (“Tracker”), Tessa Slovis (“High Potential”) and Stephanie Turner (“9-1-1”).

The 2026-2027 cohort of the DET Directing Program – Unscripted, which has placed directors in previous cohorts with series such as “American Idol,” “The Bachelor,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “Project Runway,” will include Diana Horn, Nikki Lazaran, Asa Livingston, Roush Niaghi, Molly Smith and Brittany Thompson.

Since its founding in 2001, the DET Directing Program has nurtured the careers of notable alumni, including Jennifer Arnold (“Emily in Paris”), Tessa Blake (“9-1-1” franchise), Pete Chatmon (“High Potential”), Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther” franchise, “Sinners”), Zetna Fuentes (“Pluribus”), Amin Kaderali (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Maggie Kiley (“9-1-1”), Regina King (“One Night in Miami…”), Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (“Shōgun”), Nzingha Stewart (“Daisy Jones & the Six”) and Jude Weng (“Only Murders in the Building”).

About Disney Entertainment Television
Disney Entertainment Television is a collection of renowned content brands at The Walt Disney Company creating original entertainment and news programming for the Company’s streaming platforms Disney+, Hulu and Star, and its broadcast and cable networks. Its extensive portfolio is comprised of ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective, in addition to Disney Television Studios, which include 20th Television, 20th Television Animation and Walt Disney Television Alternative. Responsible for over 4,500 hours of programming a year across more than 300 programs of all genres, Disney Entertainment Television’s creative brands are at the forefront of groundbreaking storytelling, captivating audiences and generating critical acclaim. In 2025, Disney Entertainment Television’s programming excellence earned 333 Emmy® nominations across daytime, primetime, news & documentary, sports, and children’s & family categories.

Media Contact:
Katherine Taylor
Disney Entertainment Television, Communications
Katherine.Taylor@abc.com