Skip to content

Disney Entertainment Television has selected its participants for the 2026 DET Directing Program, and unveiled a new two-year format for the scripted program.

The DET Directing Program is 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 access to Disney’s creative executives.

The new scripted format for its scripted cohort offers 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, accoding to DET.

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.”

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 scripted series roster Other participating shows include 9-1-1, The Rookie and Will Trent.

“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 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).