James Graham (playwright)

James Graham grew up in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire,{{cite web|url=http://www.totalpolitics.com/life/350577/ayes-to-the-playwright-james-graham-interview.thtml|author=Chakelian, Anoosh|title=Ayes to the playwright: James Graham interview|date=28 January 2013|publisher=Total Politics|access-date=28 March 2014|archive-date=13 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413054313/http://www.totalpolitics.com/life/350577/ayes-to-the-playwright-james-graham-interview.thtml|url-status=dead}} and was educated at Ashfield School, Kirkby-in-Ashfield and the University of Hull, where he studied drama.

Graham's first professional play, Albert's Boy, was produced by the Finborough Theatre in west London, where Graham became playwright-in-residence. His first major play This House was commissioned by the Royal National Theatre, where it was critically and commercially acclaimed, transferred to the larger Olivier Theatre, and was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best New Play. This House was revived in 2016 and ran for two years, first in the West End and then on a national tour.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

He wrote the book for the Broadway musical Finding Neverland, and two of his own plays, Privacy and Ink (for which he received his first Tony Award nomination), transferred to Broadway.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

Graham's debut feature film X+Y premiered in 2015. He has written numerous TV dramas, including the TV films Coalition (which won the Royal Television Society award for Best Single Film) and Brexit: The Uncivil War (nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie). In 2019, Graham wrote and executive produced a three-part TV adaptation of his stage play Quiz, which aired in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/quiz-who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-stephen-frears-michael-sheen-1203304574/|title=ITV and AMC Order 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' Cheating Drama 'Quiz'|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=16 August 2010|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=16 August 2019|archive-date=16 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816135519/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/quiz-who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-stephen-frears-michael-sheen-1203304574/|url-status=live}}

In 2022, it was announced that Graham had written the book for a new musical about the life of televangelist Tammy Faye Messner, with Elton John and Jake Shears writing the music. Tammy Faye opened at the Almeida Theatre in October 2022, and was nominated for four Olivier Awards, winning two.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/aug/23/musical-tammy-faye-tells-gay-icons-lif-with-score-by-elton-john|title=Musical Tammy Faye tells gay icon's life story with score by Elton John |date=23 August 2022|first=Harriet|last=Sherwood|work=The Guardian}} Tammy Faye transferred to Broadway in October 2024 and closed two months later.{{Cite web |title=Tammy Faye Heads to Broadway! Elton John and Jake Shears' Divine Musical to Debut This Fall |url=https://people.com/tammy-faye-elton-john-jake-shears-musical-sets-broadway-dates-8613139|first=Dave|last=Quinn|date=22 March 2024 |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=People.com |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328195254/https://people.com/tammy-faye-elton-john-jake-shears-musical-sets-broadway-dates-8613139 |url-status=live }}

In 2023, he wrote Dear England for the National Theatre, starring Joseph Fiennes, a portrait of England footballer and team manager Gareth Southgate.{{Cite web |title=Dear England {{!}} National Theatre |url=https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/dear-england/ |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=www.nationaltheatre.org.uk |language=en-GB}} Dear England transferred to the West End, and in 2024, the BBC announced they had commissioned Graham to adapt the play into a TV drama series.{{Cite web |title=BBC announces Dear England, a new drama based on James Graham's hit play about Gareth Southgate |url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/dear-england|date=21 February 2024 |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=BBC.com |language=en}}

His plays are published by Methuen.{{Cite web|url=http://bloomsbury.com/search?Q=james+graham&Gid=1&Iid=2|title=Bloomsbury - Search|last=Bloomsbury.com|access-date=9 February 2017}}

In March 2024, he was the guest on the long running BBC Radio 4 series Desert Island Discs, hosted by Lauren Laverne.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0023px5|title=James Graham - Extended Edit|website=Desert Island Discs|publisher=BBC Radio 4|date=March 2024}} During his appearance, Graham said he has had relationships with women and men, describing his relationship history as "varied and flexible", but refusing to define or place a label on his sexuality. He also explained his struggle ("until recently") with relationships and "the level of commitment, vulnerability and intimacy that a healthy one requires".

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• Albert's Boy (2005) (premiered at the Finborough Theatre){{cite web|url=http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/transition-archive/2005/archive_albertsboy.php|title=Alberts Boy - 2005 - Finborough Theatre|website=www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk|access-date=11 March 2012|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055905/http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/transition-archive/2005/archive_albertsboy.php|url-status=dead}}
• Eden's Empire (2006) (premiered at the Finborough Theatre){{cite web|url=http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/transition-archive/2006/edensempire.php|title=Eden's Empire|publisher=Finborough Theatre|website=www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk|access-date=11 March 2012|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055725/http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/transition-archive/2006/edensempire.php|url-status=dead}}
• Little Madam (2007) (premiered at the Finborough Theatre){{cite web|url=http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/transition-archive/2007/littlemadam.php|title=Little Madam|publisher=Finborough Theatre|website=www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk|access-date=11 March 2012|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053908/http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/transition-archive/2007/littlemadam.php|url-status=dead}}
• Sons of York (2008) (premiered at the Finborough Theatre){{cite web|url=http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/transition-archive/2008/sonsofyork.php|title=Finborough Theatre|website=www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk}}
• Tory Boyz (2008) (premiered at the Soho Theatre)
• SuddenLossOfDignity.Com (2009) written in collaboration with Zawe Ashton, Joel Horwood, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and Michelle Terry (premiered at the Bush Theatre)[http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/production/sudden_loss_of_dignity/ Bushtheatre.co.uk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911032918/http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/production/sudden_loss_of_dignity/ |date=11 September 2010 }}
• A History of Falling Things (2009) (premiered at the Clwyd Theatr Cymru)
• The Whisky Taster (2010) (premiered at the Bush Theatre)[http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/production/the_whisky_taster/ "The Whisky Taster"], Bushtheatre.co.uk {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424065836/http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/production/the_whisky_taster/ |date=24 April 2012 }}
• The Man (2010) (premiered at the Finborough Theatre){{cite web|url=http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/transition-archive/2010/theman.php|title=Finborough Theatre|website=www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk}}
• Relish (2010) (premiered at the Tramshed in Shoreditch)
• Basset (2010) (National Theatre Connections play)
• Sixty Six Books (co-author) (2011) (premiered at the Bush Theatre){{cite web|url=http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/james-graham/work/66-books-3|title=Curtis Brown|website=www.curtisbrown.co.uk}}
• This House (2012) (premiered at the National Theatre before a national tour){{cite web|url=http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/this-house|title=This House on Tour - in the UK from February to June 2018|website=www.nationaltheatre.org.uk|date=20 April 2016|access-date=4 October 2012|archive-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924113856/http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/this-house|url-status=live}}
• Privacy (2014) (premiered at the Donmar Warehouse before transferring to Off-Broadway){{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/10779811/Privacy-Donmar-Warehouse-review.html|title=Privacy, Donmar Warehouse, review|first=Charles|last=Spencer|date=22 April 2014|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412152424/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/10779811/Privacy-Donmar-Warehouse-review.html|url-status=live}}
• The Angry Brigade (2014) (premiered at Theatre Royal, Plymouth){{cite web|url=http://www.katemaltby.com/the-angry-brigade-at-theatre-royal-plymouth/|title=The Angry Brigade, Theatre Royal, Plymouth - Kate Maltby|date=26 September 2014|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724073325/http://www.katemaltby.com/the-angry-brigade-at-theatre-royal-plymouth/|url-status=live}}
• Finding Neverland (2014) (premiered at the A.R.T.){{cite web|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/blog/2014/07/11/finding-neverland-musical-writer-james-graham/|title=Writer James Graham Talks New Musical Finding Neverland|work=Boston Magazine|first=Yiqing|last=Shao|date=11 July 2014|access-date=30 October 2015|archive-date=17 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217010432/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/blog/2014/07/11/finding-neverland-musical-writer-james-graham/|url-status=dead}}
• The Children's Monologues (2015) (wrote the monologue "Biyonace" for the one-off event at the Royal Court Theatre)
• The Vote (2015) (premiered at the Donmar Warehouse){{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/james-graham-interview-meet-the-writer-bringing-drama-to-this-years-election-race-10091806.html | title=James Graham interview: meet the writer bringing drama to this year's election race | first=Fiona | last=Mountford | publisher=The Independent | work=independent.co.uk | date=7 March 2015 | access-date=20 May 2015 | archive-date=21 May 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521180000/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/james-graham-interview-meet-the-writer-bringing-drama-to-this-years-election-race-10091806.html | url-status=live }}
• Monster Raving Loony (2016) (premiered at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth){{cite web|url=http://www.thereviewshub.com/monster-raving-loony-the-drum-theatre-royal-plymouth/|title=Monster Raving Loony – The Drum, Theatre Royal Plymouth|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160301133824/http://www.thereviewshub.com/monster-raving-loony-the-drum-theatre-royal-plymouth/|archive-date = 1 March 2016|url-status = dead|access-date = 30 December 2022}}
• Ink (2017) (premiered at the Almeida Theatre before transferring to the West End and then Broadway){{cite web|url=https://almeida.co.uk/spring-2017-season|title=Spring 2017 Season - Spring 2017 - What's on & Tickets - Almeida - About Us|first=Fred|last=Kenny|website=almeida.co.uk|access-date=20 January 2017|archive-date=1 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201235838/https://almeida.co.uk/spring-2017-season|url-status=dead}}
• Labour of Love (2017) (premiered at the Noël Coward Theatre){{cite web|url=https://labouroflovetheplay.co.uk/|title=Labour of Love, a new comedy by James Graham|website=Labour of Love|access-date=10 June 2017|archive-date=2 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602015910/https://labouroflovetheplay.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}
• Quiz (2017) (premiered at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester before transferring to the West End){{Cite web|url=https://www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/quiz|title=Quiz {{!}} Chichester Festival Theatre|last=Supercool|date=20 August 2017|website=Chichester Festival Theatre|language=en-gb|access-date=21 August 2017|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821084444/https://www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/quiz|url-status=dead}}
• The Culture (2017) (premiered at the Hull Truck Theatre){{cite web |url= https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/drama-comedy/the-culture/|title=Hull Truck Theatre|access-date=9 February 2018}}
• Sketching (2018) (premiered at Wilton's Music Hall){{cite web |url= https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/471-sketching |title= Wilton's Music Hall {{!}} James Graham's Sketching |access-date= 3 October 2018 |archive-date= 3 October 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181003221043/https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/471-sketching |url-status= live }}
• Bubble (2020) (premiered at the Nottingham Playhouse and was live-streamed online)
• Best of Enemies (2021) (premiered at the Young Vic before transferring to the West End)
• Shoot (2021) (short play written for Sky Arts "Play in a Day', performed live at Alexandra Palace and later broadcast on Sky Arts)
• Tammy Faye (2022) (musical about the life of Tammy Faye Messner, co-written with Elton John, premiered at the Almeida Theatre)
• Town Planning in the Apocalypse (2023) (short play written for the National Youth Theatre, performed in February 2023 as part of an all-night showcase of NYT students at the Duke of York's Theatre)
• Dear England (2023) (premiered at the National Theatre){{cite news |title=Gareth Southgate play starring Joseph Fiennes to hit National Theatre |work=BBC News |date=21 February 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64699905 |access-date=21 February 2023}}
• Boys from the Blackstuff (2023) (adapted from the Alan Bleasdale TV Series, premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool){{cite news |title=Boys from the Blackstuff review – powerful portrayals of working-class pride|work=The Guardian|date=31 May 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/sep/22/boys-from-the-blackstuff-review-royal-court-liverpool|first=Mark|last=Fisher |access-date=31 May 2024}}
• Punch (2024) (adapted from the book Right from Wrong by Jacob Dunne, premiered at Nottingham Playhouse and the Young Vic)

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• X+Y (2015) (theatrical film)
• Coalition (2015) (Television film for Channel 4)
• Brexit: The Uncivil War (2019) (Television film for Channel 4)
• The Crown (2019) episode 3.6, "Tywysog Cymru"
• Quiz (2020) (three-part TV drama series for ITV)
• Sherwood (2022-) (crime drama series for BBC1)
• The Way (2024) (dystopian drama series for BBC1){{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/james-graham-michael-sheen-adam-curtis-the-way-bbc-1235262030/|author=Goldbart, Max|title=James Graham, Michael Sheen & Adam Curtis Combine On Dystopian Drama 'The Way' For The BBC|date=16 February 2023|publisher=Deadline|access-date=21 February 2023|archive-date=17 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217101629/https://deadline.com/2023/02/james-graham-michael-sheen-adam-curtis-the-way-bbc-1235262030/|url-status=live}}
• Brian and Maggie (2025){{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jan/10/margaret-thatcher-brian-walden-interview-channel-4-drama-harriet-walter-steve-coogan-james-graham|work=The Guardian|title='She was a fiend!': how the interview that destroyed Thatcher became an intense TV drama|first=Zoe|last=Williams|author-link=Zoe Williams|date=10 January 2025|access-date=10 January 2025}}

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In 2018, Graham won his first Olivier Award, for Labour of Love as Best New Comedy (his other play Ink was nominated for an Olivier in the same year).{{cite web|url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/519757/|title=Olivier Awards 2018: Political theatre is making a comeback, says James Graham|date=9 April 2018|first=Giverny|last=Masso|work=The Stage|access-date=23 January 2019|archive-date=24 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124041643/https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/519757/|url-status=live}}

He won his second Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2024, for Dear England.{{cite web|url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/2024-olivier-awards-full-list-of-winners|title=2024 Olivier Awards: Full list of winners|date=14 April 2024|work=London Theatre.co.uk|access-date=15 April 2024|archive-date=15 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415100225/https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/2024-olivier-awards-full-list-of-winners|url-status=live}}

In June 2018, Graham was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in its "40 Under 40" initiative.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jun/28/royal-society-of-literature-40-under-40-fellows|title=Royal Society of Literature admits 40 new fellows to address historical biases|last=Flood|first=Alison|date=28 June 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402131559/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jun/28/royal-society-of-literature-40-under-40-fellows|url-status=live}}

In January 2019, Graham's life and work was the subject of an in-depth BBC One documentary as part of the Imagine series.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0c1432n|title = BBC One - imagine..., 2019, James Graham: In the Room Where It Happens}}

In May 2019, his play This House was voted Play of the Decade in Bloomsbury Publishing's "60 Years of Modern Plays" public vote.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/this-house-9781350134836/|title=This House 60 Years of Modern Plays|website=Bloomsbury|language=en|access-date=1 July 2019|archive-date=13 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613041158/https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/this-house-9781350134836/|url-status=live}}

He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to drama and young people in British theatre.{{London Gazette|issue=62866|supp=y|page=N12|date=28 December 2019}}

In June 2024, the New Statesman included Graham in The Left Power List 2024, the magazine's "guide to the 50 most influential people in progressive politics".{{Cite news |date=2024-06-04 |title=The Left Power List 2024 |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2024/06/new-statesman-left-power-list-2024 |access-date=2024-09-16 |work=New Statesman |language=en-GB}}

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{{James Graham}}

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Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Alumni of the University of Hull

Category:British dramatists and playwrights

Category:British male dramatists and playwrights

Category:British male television writers

Category:English screenwriters

Category:English television writers

Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of Literature

Category:Living people

Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Category:People from Mansfield

Category:21st-century English dramatists and playwrights

Category:British_LGBTQ_dramatists_and_playwrights