This practice-led research project takes the form of a one-hour television script and an accompanying dissertation that explores how theme can be used as the primary craft tool for the development of what is anticipated to be a compelling screen work. The dissertation is structured to reflect the integrated nature of theory and practice from the earliest stages of the script’s development (the concept, creation of the world and characters) on to the plotting of the narrative and, finally, the writing of individual scenes. The dissertation will trace the creative process that I, as a writer, undertook to develop the script and demonstrate how each stage of the creative process was informed by the research into theme. Drawing on my many years as a screenwriter, my aim with this project was to investigate how theme might go beyond being something a writer discovers as they write to something that informs how they write; to see what would happen when theme comes first in the writing process and if this craft decision would lead to what I consider a more compelling, emotionally satisfying, finished project.