Micro Drama, Vertical Storytelling and the New Scripted Economy

21 Jan, 2026
Micro Drama, Vertical Storytelling and the New Scripted Economy

Micro drama is one of the fastest-growing scripted formats in global digital video, and UK producers are only just beginning to understand its scale, speed and commercial potential.

In this episode of TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by micro drama producer Samantha Sun from ReelForce to unpack how vertical, app-based scripted series really work. Samantha shares her journey from early Chinese-backed micro drama platforms to producing some of the biggest-budget vertical dramas made in the UK, and explains why this format is not a downgrade from television, but a fundamentally different production and monetisation model.

The conversation explores how micro drama platforms acquire audiences through social video, why the first ten episodes matter more than anything else, how payment and revenue-share models actually function, and what UK TV producers often misunderstand when they approach the space with traditional assumptions.

Samantha also addresses talent, diversity, AI in post-production, genre limitations, audience behaviour, and why micro drama is attracting serious attention from Hollywood, platforms, brands and investors. This is an essential listen for producers, commissioners, and digital-first studios trying to understand where scripted content is heading next.

Sign up for The Drop newsletter

Support the show

Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp

Buy tickets to How to Make Money in Digital

Enter the Digital Video Awards

Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos
Follow us on LinkedIn
Connect with Justin on LinkedIN
TellyCast videos on YouTube
TellyCast website
TellyCast insta
TellyCast Twitter
TellyCast TikTok

Transcripts for this episode will be available soon.

logo
Privacy Overview

We use cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorised as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyse and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies, but opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Read our privacy notice here.