Write the romance elements audiences are craving in 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for romance on TV. From the enemies-to-lovers heat of Heated Rivalry, to the sweeping ensemble drama of Bridgerton, to the coming-of-age swoon of The Summer I Turned Pretty and the campus-set chemistry fans can't get enough of in adaptations like Off Campus, audiences keep proving they'll show up big for a well-built romance. But you don't need to be writing a full-on romance to benefit — plenty of the biggest shows on television right now aren't romance shows at all, yet a serious romantic thread is exactly what keeps audiences hooked. Whether it's the anchor of your series or just one storyline among several, this lab gives you the skills to make it land.

Writing romantic material that sells takes more than chemistry between two leads. Buyers want relationship-driven storytelling built on compelling characters, emotionally authentic conflict, and a story engine strong enough to carry multiple seasons. Whether you're developing a contemporary romance, adapting your romance novel, a dramedy, an ensemble series with a central couple, or simply want to strengthen the romantic subplot inside a larger project, this lab gives you the tools to build a world, create real emotional stakes, and write scenes that hook audiences.

The trap most writers fall into

It's easy to get so focused on the central will-they-won't-they that everything else that makes a story sustainable — layered supporting characters, arcs that pay off over time, a clear engine driving things forward — never fully develops. This lab helps you build all of it from the start, so you walk away with material that's emotionally engaging, commercially viable, and ready for the marketplace, whether romance is the whole story or just one powerful piece of it.

Your instructor: Anna Henry

You'll be working under the guidance of Anna Henry, an independent producer, script consultant, and Stage 32 educator with 20 years of experience in television development. Anna began her career at CBS and ABC before moving into development and management, where her clients have set up projects at Netflix, Amazon, Starz, HBO, and more. Her credits include Netflix's Seven Seconds, Starz' Vida, HBO's The Deuce and Big Love, NBC's This Is Us, and The CW's Jane the Virgin, among others. She even taught drama pilot structure for Netflix's Creating Content for the Global Marketplace Initiative — she knows exactly what buyers are looking for in this space right now.

And Anna's not just teaching the marketplace — she's actively winning in it. She currently has a partnership with a major production company to package a project she developed with a Stage 32 writer in the romance category. More to come on that soon — and it's exactly the kind of opportunity this lab is designed to help you build toward.

What you'll build over 8 sessions

Over eight sessions, you'll build your project from the ground up: developing your world, characters, and story engine; constructing a pilot that balances multiple storylines; mapping your season arc; and writing scenes that feel cinematic instead of expository. Three rounds of one-on-one consultations along the way will sharpen your work at every stage. By the end, you'll have a finished pilot script (or revised outline) and the confidence to bring compelling romantic material into today's marketplace.

What's included

• Private, interactive lab on Zoom with a producer and development executive whose clients have worked with Netflix, AMC, Amazon, Sony, HBO, and more
• Three rounds of one-on-one consultations on your series elements, outline, and pilot pages
• Direct email access to Anna for the full duration of the class — like having a mentor on demand
• A personalized questionnaire sent right after sign-up, so Anna can start tailoring feedback to your project immediately
• All session recordings available in your Stage 32 library within 48 hours, yours to keep
• A dedicated lounge to connect with fellow classmates and build your network

What past students say

"Anna's lab was fantastic. The knowledge and information she brings to her lectures is inspiring and amazingly helpful. Her individual feedback is incredibly challenging — it geared me up to confront many of my assumptions about my story and dig deep to find better alternatives." — Maureen T.

"Anna has a clear, information-packed teaching style that shows the way forward in definitive steps. This is the second class I've taken with her — highly recommend. Her knowledge of industry trends is particularly helpful." — Karen B.

"I just had my final consultation with Anna. Her feedback is so detailed and helpful. I highly recommend the course and look forward to any offered by her in the future." — Bianca B.

Limited to 10 writers — save your spot today.

Payment plans available at checkout, or email edu@stage32.com for more info.

Session 1 – Elements of a TV Series, Types & Tropes, Developing Compelling Characters
In Session One, you'll build the foundation for your television series by exploring the essential building blocks that make relationship-driven shows successful.

You will learn:

• The different television formats and series types
• How to identify the story engine that will sustain your series
• Building a compelling narrative structure
• Creating strong worlds, tone, and thematic foundations
• Developing memorable, emotionally complex characters
• Understanding the dramatic importance of romantic stakes
• Exploring popular romance tropes
• Q and A with Anna

Session 2 – Pilot Structure, Logical Construction & Sources of Conflict
Learn how to construct a television pilot that introduces your world while establishing compelling conflicts and multiple storylines.

You will learn:

• The essential structure of a television pilot
• Breaking down each act of your episode
• Creating engaging A, B, and C storylines
• Developing conflict through:
  • Character dynamics
  • Emotional wounds
  • Relationships
  • The world of your series
• Understanding story logic versus emotional logic
• Effective outlining techniques before writing pages
• Q and A with Anna

Session 3 – NO CLASS - Consultations: Series Elements & Story Grid / Outline
This session will consist of one-on-one consultations on your series elements written so far. Each writer will send in their written materials 48 hours in advance and will have a phone consultation for feedback.

Session 4 – Relationships, World Building & Season Planning
Build deeper character relationships while designing a series that can sustain an entire season.

You will learn:

• Techniques for introducing characters effectively
• Creating memorable character moments
• Building conflict through:
  • Relationships
  • Love triangles
  • Antagonists
  • Miscommunication
  • Personal histories
• Balancing desire versus fear
• Keeping romantic tension alive throughout a series
• Using power dynamics and intimacy effectively
• Building believable worlds through exposition
• Strategically mapping your season arc
• Q and A with Anna

Session 5 – Planning Effective Scenes & Writing for the Screen
Learn how to transform your outline into compelling television scenes that keep audiences emotionally invested.

You will learn:

• Building a powerful opening act
• Planning scenes before writing
• Writing visually for television
• Creating efficient, cinematic scenes
• Building sequences that increase momentum
• Strengthening conflict and raising stakes
• Managing pacing
• Maintaining audience engagement
• Weaving multiple character relationships and storylines together
• Q and A with Anna

Session 6 – NO CLASS - Consultations: Pilot Outline or Pilot Acts One & Two
This session will consist of one-on-one consultations on your outline or Acts One & Two. Each writer will send in their written materials 48 hours in advance and will have a phone consultation for feedback.

Session 7 – Writing Love Through Action & Dialogue
Discover how to write emotionally powerful romance that feels cinematic rather than overly expositional.

You will learn:

• Writing visually instead of relying on dialogue
• Expressing emotion through character behavior
• Crafting authentic subtext
• Building chemistry through action
• Structuring emotionally impactful scenes
• Using visual metaphors to strengthen storytelling
• Writing intimacy and sexuality in service of tone and character
• Q and A with Anna

Session 8 – NO CLASS - Consultations: Finished Pilot or Revised Series Elements & Outline
This session will consist of one-on-one consultations on your finished pilot script or your revised outline and other written materials. Each writer will send in their written materials 48 hours in advance and will have a phone consultation for feedback.

• Writers of all levels who want to develop a romance, dramedy, or relationship-driven TV series into a marketable pilot
• Writers who have a concept for a romantic series but need help building a story engine that can sustain multiple seasons
• Writers who have started a romance pilot but are struggling with structure, pacing, or moving past familiar tropes
• Writers who want personalized, expert feedback on their series elements, outline, and pages before submitting to the marketplace
• Writers who are ready to commit to an intensive, 8-week writing process with real accountability and deadlines

TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION FROM ANNA:

"Anna's Lab was fantastic. Lately, I've been grappling with how to approach streaming and TV series writing. The knowledge and information Anna brings to her lectures is inspiring and amazingly helpful. Her individual feedback is incredibly challenging. It geared me up to confront many of my assumptions about my story, and dig deep into my imagination to find better alternatives. I'm sure I will be using those lessons, and building on them, for a long time.
I can't think of anything that was missing for me in the Lab. It was so chock full of priceless expertise, it is hard to imagine what could possibly have been left out. Loved it!"
— Maureen T.

"Anna has a clear, information-packed teaching style that shows the way forward in definitive steps. Also, many times the class went over time because she stayed until every question was answered. In addition, she quickly responded with thoughtful answers to questions via email. This was a fun class with information I'll use for my project, as well as future projects. This is the second class I've taken with Anna (first one was the free Writing a TV Pilot seminar). Highly recommend her! Her knowledge of the trends in the industry is particularly helpful."
— Karen B.

"I just had my final consultation with Anna. I just wanted to let you know that I learned so much from her class. Her feedback is so detailed and helpful. I highly recommend the course to others and look forward to any offered by her in the future."
— Bianca B.