How to Write a TV Script

A TV script differs from a self-contained film script in two ways: the story doesn't close at the end of the episode, and it leaves a hook that pulls the audience into the next one. The format is the same (screenplay format: slug line, action, character, dialogue). The difference is structure: each episode draws its own arc while the series' main story keeps flowing. You don't start from an episode but from the series bible: the idea, the world, the cast of characters, the engine of conflict and the direction of the first season.

How different is a TV script from a film script?

Same format: slug line, action, character, parenthetical, dialogue. There's no separate "TV format".
The story doesn't close: the episode ends, the series doesn't.
Characters do change, but SLOWLY — what happens in ten days in a film happens over ten episodes in a series.
The end-of-episode hook (cliffhanger) is part of the structure, not decoration.
Subplots carry weight: alongside the main line, at least one secondary line runs.

Episode structure

The most common skeleton: an opening hook (the moment that holds the audience in the first minute) → setting up the situation → a first break → a piece of information that changes direction in the middle → the episode's own climax → the end-of-episode hook. The skeleton is the same in a half-hour and an hour-long episode; what changes is the number of sequences in between.

Before you write, give every episode a one-sentence logline: "In this episode, who wants what, and what's stopping them?" If you can't answer, the episode doesn't exist yet.

How many pages should a TV script be?

The measure doesn't change: 1 page ≈ 1 minute of screen time, so the episode's running time sets the page count. A 45–60 minute episode runs 45–65 pages; a half-hour episode roughly 25–35.

If you're just starting, write an 8–12 page opening sequence before a full episode. Producers and competition juries alike get a series' tone from the first ten pages.

What goes into a series bible?

Logline: the line that tells the series in one sentence.
Short synopsis: the world of the series and its main conflict, half a page.
Cast of characters: for each lead, their want, obstacle, secret and possible arc.
Engine: why can this series produce a new story every week?
Episode list: one sentence per episode for the first season.
Tone and references: which genre, which voice, close to which world.

How do I protect and send my script?

In most countries copyright arises the moment you write the script; registration isn't a condition for protection. Optional registries exist — in the US, for example, the Copyright Office offers registration and the Writers Guild runs a script registry. They don't create the right; they tie the work to a dated record. For your specific situation, ask a lawyer.

Keep the order when sending: first the logline and short synopsis, the full script only if asked. Many production companies return unsolicited full scripts unopened to avoid legal risk. Competitions and funding programmes are the most reliable door: on record, dated and documented.

Download as Word and PDF

Open the Word version and write straight over it; the PDF looks the same on every device and prints as it is.

You can write without downloadingStart writing in screenplay format →Senaryum — opens in the browser, nothing to install. It formats the slug line, the action and the dialogue as you type.You can try it without an account; you'll need one to save and download what you write.

Blank screenplay template — standard formatOpen it in Word and start writing: Scene Heading · Action · Character · Dialogue styles built in, Courier New 12.Word (.docx)PDF

Synopsis template + exampleWhat a short synopsis is, a complete example and a blank template to fill in.Word (.docx)PDF

Logline template + exampleThe four parts of telling your film in one sentence, an example and a blank template.Word (.docx)PDF

Frequently asked questions

How many pages is a TV episode script?

By the 1 page ≈ 1 minute rule: an hour-long episode (45–60 minutes of screen time) is 45–65 pages, a half-hour episode roughly 25–35. The exact number depends on the channel's or platform's running time.

Is TV script format different from film script format?

No. Both use screenplay format: slug line, action, character name, parenthetical, dialogue. The difference isn't in the form but in the structure — in a series the story doesn't close at the end of the episode.

How do you sell a TV script?

Rather than sending the full script unasked, you approach with a logline and a short synopsis first. The most reliable doors are competitions, funding programmes and direct requests from the industry; unsolicited scripts are returned unopened at many companies.

Should I register my script before sending it?

It isn't required: copyright arises when you write the work. If you want, you can tie it to a dated record through an optional registry; that doesn't grant a new right, it makes proof easier. For a specific case, ask a lawyer.

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