WRIXAS 8 was the eighth Writers Express Awards ceremony, and the second and last of 2014. It was the first WRIXAS not to include a subtitle in its title, so it is simply known as 'WRIXAS 8'. The results were revealed on 31st August 2014 (over six months after WRIXAS 7), although the process had begun in July 2014. The event again included established projects such as ATUK's The Bill, City Girls, Cross My Heart, Hope To Die, High Hopes and These Days.In addition, a second season of forum hit Cold Blood went to air.
Entirely new projects came along in the guise of two soap operas - Behind Closed Doors and Beyond Borders, and two fan fics: a version of a famous reality TV show, namely FOM's Big Brother, and a very famous cul-de-sac in the London borough of Walford - Walfman's EastEnders. Four projects disappeared this time: Words Of Comfort (a standalone drama), City Limits and Looking Forward (both soaps). Crime drama Cross My Heart, Hope To Die was not recommisioned. The Avenue, however - which was left out of WRIXAS 7 - made a welcome return. It also saw Noxy join Lem and Ross as co-Producers.
On the whole, WRIXAS 8 is most notable for its established winners; only one of the forum's five new projects in this era - Behind Closed Doors - won any awards. This was also to be the last but by far the most successful appearance of These Days 1.0, the forum's oldest surviving project at this point. It was also the most rewarded until WRIXAS 13, when City Girls surpassed it to win a total of 47 awards. It remains, however, the most rewarded soap opera to date.
CITY GIRLS - Daniel Williams (Newcomer, Episode 5x01)
CITY GIRLS - Johnny Milano (Newcomer, Episode 5x03)
HIGH HOPES - Grace Fitzgerald (Cameo, 2x35-2x36)
HIGH HOPES - Nicki Grant (Newcomer, 2x28) - WINNER/DRAW
THESE DAYS 1.0 - Connor Mason (Newcomer, Episode 162) - WINNER/DRAW
THESE DAYS 1.0 - Vanessa Pritchard (Cameo, Episode 151-161)
WALFMAN'S EASTENDERS - Danny Butcher (Newcomer, Episode 16)
• HIGH HOPES - Nicki Grant (Newcomer, 2x28) - WINNER/DRAW • THESE DAYS 1.0 - Connor Mason (Newcomer, Episode 162) - WINNER/DRAW
Best Exit
CITY GIRLS: Chloe Warren - Scene 3/10, Episode 4.20
COLD BLOOD: Eve Murphy - Scene 5/5, Episode 2x02
COLD BLOOD: Cait Fielding - Scene 7/8, Episode 2x03
HIGH HOPES: Matthew Fitzgerald - Scene 11/12, Episode 3x21
HIGH HOPES: Michelle Fox - Scene 12/12, Episode 2x34
THESE DAYS 1.0: Ricki Wells - Scene 7/10, Episode 161
THESE DAYS 1.0: Bezza - Scene 10/10, Episode 164 - WINNER
HIGH HOPES: Matthew Fitzgerald - Scene 11/12, Episode 3x21
THESE DAYS 1.0: Bezza - Scene 10/10, Episode 164 - WINNER
Best MegaMash Project
The Avenue Fan:Fic (Noxy)
Beneath The Surface: MeGaMaSh Special (Ross/Walfman)
Hit And Miss (Ross)
These Days City Girls Have Many High Hopes As They Stroll Along The Avenue Under The Bright City Lights On Cold Uncertain Nights (Hannah) - WINNER
Time And Tide (Walfman)
The Avenue Fan:Fic (Noxy)
These Days City Girls Have Many High Hopes As They Stroll Along The Avenue Under The Bright City Lights On Cold Uncertain Nights (Hannah) - WINNER
Best Fan:Fic
ATUK's The Bill - WINNER
FOM's Big Brother
Walfman's EastEnders
ATUK's The Bill - WINNER
FOM's Big Brother
Best Cliffhanger
Radford Charges Aleks for the Cafe Fire/Herbert's Murder (THE AVENUE: Scene 10/10, Episode 102)
Sandra's Entrance Ruins The Brannigan Wedding Anniversary (THE AVENUE: Scene 10/10, Episode 117)
Jen is revealed to be Millie's biological mother (BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: Scene 8/8 Episode 1x01)
Jen's wedding decision (BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: Scene 7/7 Episode 1x05)
Izzie, Holly and Ashley mourn Baby Chloe's death (CITY GIRLS: Scene 10/10, Episode 4.20)
Max and Izzie reach a crossroads (CITY GIRLS: Scene 6/6. Episode 5x02)
Cait and Kieran flee after Eve's brutal murder (COLD BLOOD: Scene 5/5 Episode 2x02)
Samuel learns of Cait's escape from prison (COLD BLOOD: Scene 6/6 Episode 2x01)
Someone falls off the balcony during Kyle and Luke's fight (HIGH HOPES: Scene 12/12 Episode 3x03)
Olivia is revealed to be alive (HIGH HOPES: Scene 10/10, Episode 3x19)
Erica Carter Collapses (BEYOND BORDERS: Episode 1: Scene 10/10)
Bezza Shot Dead By A Mystery Assailant (THESE DAYS 1.0: Scene 10/10, Episode 164) - WINNER
The teens reel over Elliot knocking Spike out (THESE DAYS 1.0: Scene 10/10, Episode 169)
Lucy Beale Is Murdered (WALFMAN'S EASTENDERS: Episode 1)
Danny Butcher's Appearance Shocks David Wicks (WALFMAN'S EASTENDERS: Episode 16)
Samuel learns of Cait's escape from prison (COLD BLOOD: Scene 6/6 Episode 2x01)
Someone falls off the balcony during Kyle and Luke's fight (HIGH HOPES: Scene 12/12 Episode 3x03)
Olivia is revealed to be alive (HIGH HOPES: Scene 10/10, Episode 3x19)
Bezza Shot Dead By A Mystery Assailant (THESE DAYS 1.0: Scene 10/10, Episode 164) - WINNER
Danny Butcher's Appearance Shocks David Wicks (WALFMAN'S EASTENDERS: Episode 16)
Best Drama Male
Max Warren (City Girls) - WINNER
Tony Luciano (City Girls)
DCI Samuel Woodward (Cold Blood)
Kieran Wilson (Cold Blood)
Max Warren (City Girls) - WINNER
DCI Samuel Woodward (Cold Blood)
Best Drama Female
Ashley Luciano (City Girls)
Izzie Roberts (City Girls) - WINNER
Alexandra Mellor (Cold Blood)
Cait Fielding (Cold Blood)
Izzie Roberts (City Girls) - WINNER
Cait Fielding (Cold Blood)
Best Drama Scene
Nicole is run over trying to save Jack (City Girls: Scene 6/7 Episode 4.18) - WINNER
Max and Izzie mourn Baby Chloe and reach a crossroads (City Girls: Scene 6/6 Episode 5x02)
Samuel learns of Cait's escape from prison (COLD BLOOD: Scene 6/6 Episode 2x01)
After killing Eve, Cait escapes with Kieran (COLD BLOOD: Scene 5/5 Episode 2x02)
N/A
Best Drama Plot
Chloe Warren's Death (City Girls) - WINNER
Jack and Nicole Foster's debt problems/hit and run accident (City Girls)
Samuel and Cait's deadly game of cat-and-mouse (Cold Blood)
Jamie's secret pushes Alexandra over the edge (Cold Blood)
N/A
Best Drama Episode
City Girls, Episode 4.20: There's Nothing Good About Goodbye - WINNER
City Girls, Episode 5x02: In the Arms of an Angel
Cold Blood, Episode 2x2
Cold Blood, Episode 2x3
City Girls, Episode 4.20: There's Nothing Good About Goodbye - WINNER
Cold Blood, Episode 2x3
Best Drama
City Girls (Hannah) - WINNER
Cold Blood (AppleCobbler)
N/A
Best Soap Male
Michael Brannigan (The Avenue)
Steven Carwell (The Avenue)
Lucas Keating (Behind Closed Doors)
Nick Drake (Behind Closed Doors)
Jordan Green (Beyond Borders)
Patrick Neilson (Beyond Borders)
Kyle Campbell (High Hopes)
Matthew Fitzgerald (High Hopes) - WINNER
Jack Mason (These Days 1.0)
Nat Wykin (These Days 1.0)
Lucas Keating (Behind Closed Doors)
Matthew Fitzgerald (High Hopes) - WINNER
Best Soap Female
Leyla Baker (The Avenue)
Linda Brannigan (The Avenue)
Jen Richardson (Behind Closed Doors)
Liz Keating (Behind Closed Doors)
Erica Carter (Beyond Borders)
Hannah Carter (Beyond Borders)
Naomi Donovan (High Hopes)
Vicki Connor (High Hopes)
Joss Wykin (These Days 1.0) - WINNER
Lisa Hopkins (These Days 1.0)
Vicki Connor (High Hopes)
Joss Wykin (These Days 1.0) - WINNER
Best Soap Scene
The Brannigans Head For Brighton (The Avenue: Scene 4/10, Episode 104)
Viv's Private Goodbye to Thomas (The Avenue: Scene 10/10, Episode 109) - WINNER
Liz delivers the news of her breast cancer to her family (Behind Closed Doors: Scene 3/9, Episode 1x06)
Jen marries Henry (Behind Closed Doors: Scene 6/9, Episode 1x06)
Jordan Green’s Secret Lover Revealed As Hannah Carter (Beyond Borders, Episode 3: Episode 10/10)
Sasha Hall Reveals Why She Hates Her Imprisoned Brother (Beyond Borders, Episode 4: Scene 5/10)
Olivia and Matthew's explosive confrontation (High Hopes: Scene 14/14 Episode 3x12)
David violently lashes out against Eileen (High Hopes: Scene 10/12 Episode 3x21)
Ricki's Departure (These Days 1.0: Episode 161, Scene 7/10)
Joss Freaks Out Over Bezza's Death (THESE DAYS 1.0: Scene 5/10, Episode 165)
Viv's Private Goodbye to Thomas (The Avenue: Scene 10/10, Episode 109) - WINNER
Liz delivers the news of her breast cancer to her family (BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: Scene 3/9, Episode 1x06)
Olivia and Matthew's explosive confrontation (HIGH HOPES: Scene 14/14 Episode 3x12)
David violently lashes out against Eileen (HIGH HOPES: Scene 10/12 Episode 3x21)
Ricki's Departure (THESE DAYS 1.0: Episode 161, Scene 7/10)
Joss Freaks Out Over Bezza's Death (THESE DAYS 1.0: Scene 5/10, Episode 165)
Best Soap Plot
Aleks' False Imprisonment (The Avenue)
Thomas & Katya Funerals (The Avenue)
Liz Keating's Breast Cancer (Behind Closed Doors)
Jen Richardson/Millie Powell Maternity Secret (Behind Closed Doors)
Jessica/Jordan/Hannah Love Triangle (Beyond Borders)
Tommy Neilson’s Drug Issues (Beyond Borders)
Matthew Fitzgerald's Revenge & Downfall (High Hopes)
Vicki Connor's Downward Spiral (High Hopes)
Elliot/Carrie/Spike Love Triangle (These Days 1.0)
Who Shot Bezza? (These Days 1.0) - WINNER
Matthew Fitzgerald's Revenge & Downfall (High Hopes)
Who Shot Bezza? (These Days 1.0) - WINNER
Best Soap Episode
The Avenue, Episode 109: Moving On
The Avenue, Episode 117: Happy Branniversary!
Behind Closed Doors, Episode 1x01: I'm sure I can think of plenty more adjectives
Behind Closed Doors, Episode 1x06: No need to turn it into a thunderstorm
Beyond Borders, Episode 3: The Ball’s In Your Court
Beyond Borders, Episode 5 (Scripted)
High Hopes, Episode 3x12: I've just upgraded to Jerry Springer
High Hopes, Episode 3x21: I'm taking a leap of faith
These Days 1.0, Episode 164: A Shot In The Dark - WINNER
These Days 1.0, Episode 169: Elliot Mess
High Hopes, Episode 3x12: I've just upgraded to Jerry Springer
These Days 1.0, Episode 164: A Shot In The Dark - WINNER
Best New Soap
Behind Closed Doors (Hannah) - WINNER
Beyond Borders (Jamie - formerly Walfman)
N/A
Best Soap
The Avenue (Lem/Noxy/Ross)
Behind Closed Doors (Hannah)
Beyond Borders (Jamie - formerly Walfman)
High Hopes (Hannah/Jaay)
These Days 1.0 (Noxy) - WINNER
High Hopes (Hannah/Jaay)
These Days 1.0 (Noxy) - WINNER
Best Project
ATUK's The Bill (allthingsuk)
City Girls (Hannah)
These Days 1.0 (Noxy) - WINNER
N/A
WRIXAS League Table (as of August 2014)
Project
Author/s
Genre
Awards (WRIXAS 8 only)
Awards (TOTAL)
Alone
Lem
Drama
N/A
3
ATUK's The Bill
allthingsuk
Fan:Fic
1
2
The Avenue
Lem/Noxy/Ross
Soap
2
8
Back To The Start
Lem
Drama
N/A
5
Behind Closed Doors 1.0
Hannah
Soap
1
1
Beneath The Surface
Jamie/Ross
Soap
N/A
1
City Girls
Hannah
Drama
6
26
Cold Blood
AppleCobbler
Drama
0
6
Cross My Heart, Hope To Die
Hannah
Drama
N/A
1
Crown Law
allthingsuk
Drama
N/A
4
The Forest's
allthingsuk
Drama
N/A
4
High Hopes
Hannah | Jaay
Soap
2
7
High Peak 1.0
MGambitt | Noxy
Soap
N/A
5
In Gear
allthingsuk
Drama
N/A
1
Lem's Casualty
Lem
Fan:Fic
N/A
1
Lem's Coronation Street
Lem
Fan:Fic
N/A
1
Looking Forward
Jess
Soap
N/A
2
Ocean Lane
Jark
Drama
N/A
3
Saints High
allthingsuk
Drama
N/A
1
St. George's
Ross
Soap
N/A
2
These Days 1.0
Noxy
Soap
9
41
These Days City Girls Have Many High Hopes As They Stroll Along The Avenue Under The Bright City Lights On Cold Uncertain Nights
Hannah
Other
1
1
Uncertain Nights
AppleCobbler | Noxy | Ross
Soap
N/A
19
Words Of Comfort
Lem
Drama
N/A
2
Forum Members League Table (as of August 2014)
Forum Member
Awards (WRIXAS 8 only)
Awards (TOTAL)
allthingsuk
1
12
AppleCobbler
0
25
Hannah
10
36
Jaay
2
7
Jamie
0
1
Jark
N/A
3
Jess
N/A
2
Lem
2
20
MGambitt
N/A
5
Noxy
11
59
Ross
2
30
Stats & Trivia
This time there were 19 sub-categories, down one from WRIXAS 7. There were six in the Crossover category, 6 in Drama and 7 in Soap. There were 21 winners this time - two less than last time - with two shared awards (compared to three at WRIXAS 7). There were 129 options to choose from - a decrease of fifteen on WRIXAS 7.
After a subtle performance at the previous ceremony, These Days 1.0 did an almighty volte face by bagging an astonishing 9 awards - a new and presently unbeaten record for a soap. These were for:
Best Family (The Donnelly-Masons)
Best Newcomer (Connor Mason)
Best Exit (Bezza)
Best Cliffhanger (Bezza Shot Dead)
Best Soap Female (Joss Wykin)
Best Soap Plot (Who Shot Bezza?)
Best Soap Episode (164: A Shot In The Dark)
Best Soap
Best Project
Once again the project won 'Best Newcomer' (Connor Mason) and 'Best Soap Female' (Joss Wykin). Remarkably, it was also the sixth consecutive time it had won the award for 'Best Soap Episode' (164: A Shot In The Dark). The only time the show had not won this award (or equivalent) was at WRIXAS 2, when it was pinched by 'High Peak'! And again, for an amazing 6th consecutive time, the show was declared 'Best Soap'. The icing on the cake was 'Best Project' - a new award whose shortlist is based on the most successful projects at the Longlist stage. People cannot vote for 'Best Project' until the Shortlist stage.
It was also another strong night for long-running romantic drama series City Girls, which bagged another six trophies. These were for:
Best Drama Male (Max Warren)
Best Drama Female (Izzie Roberts)
Best Drama Scene (Nicole Run Over Trying To Save Jack)
Best Drama Plot (Chloe Warren's Death)
Best Drama Episode (4.20: There Is Nothing Good About Goodbye)
Best Drama
This was the second time in a row the show had won five of its six awards: 'Best Drama Male' (Max Warren), 'Best Drama Female' (Izzie Roberts), 'Best Drama Scene' (Nicole Run Over Trying To Save Jack), 'Best Drama Episode' (4.20: There Is Nothing Good About Goodbye) and 'Best Drama'. Remarkably, 'City Girls' won all of the available Drama awards, making it a full house!
The Avenue remained plucky in the face of a mighty ceremony for 'These Days', still managing to pick up two more awards: 'Best Family' (The Brannigans) and 'Best Soap Scene' (Viv's Private Goodbye To Thomas). This was the second time the Brannigans had won such an award (the first being at WRIXAS 6), and to date, they are the only family ever to win this award more than once.
High Hopesalso had cause for celebration with two awards of its own: 'Best Newcomer' (Nicki Grant) and 'Best Soap Male' (Matthew Fitzgerald).
Having won 'Best New Drama', ATUK's The Bill managed to add another WRIXA to its trophy cabinet, for 'Best Fan Fiction'.
In April 2014, a forum event - the MegaMash - was launched, in an attempt to stimulate more material after a quiet period on the forum. The result was a rewarding and creative success, with former WRIXA winner Beneath The Surface returning for a one-off outing, a play (Hit And Miss) and fatally, a fan fiction version of The Avenue by Noxy - the success of which lead to Noxy joining 'The Avenue' team with Lem and Ross. To celebrate this event, a special one-time category was included at WRIXAS 8, namely 'Best MegaMash Project'. The winner was what it likely to be the project with the longest ever title - a beguiling and hugely acclaimed project mash-up drama called These Days City Girls Have Many High Hopes As They Stroll Along The Avenue Under The Bright City Lights On Cold Uncertain Nights. Whilst its tongue-in-cheek title paid homage to some of the forum's most popular or recent projects, its success was based on the quality of what was one of the most creative and dynamic projects the forum has ever seen.
The only other winner of the night was new soap Behind Closed Doors, declared 'Best New Soap'. Impressively, Hannah was involved in four projects at this ceremony, and all of them succeeded at the WRIXAS to some degree. Seven projects won WRIXAS at this ceremony, which was the same as last time.
Elsewhere however, there was also disappointment. The second season of Cold Blood - a project which dominated WRIXAS 5 - was unable to repeat that success and walked away empty handed. The following projects also won no awards:
