Jane Wainwright

Jane Wainwright is an award-winning writer for theatre, television and radio. Originally from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, she is now based in London. For television, she has written over 55 episodes of the multi-award-winning HOLLYOAKS (Lime Pictures, Channel Four). Her original pitch on “Incels” won ‘BEST STORYLINE’ at the 2023 British Soap Awards, with her hour-long finale episode receiving critical and public acclaim.

She has also written episodes of THE DUMPING GROUND (CBBC), was commissioned by CBBC to develop and write a spin off series, CRASHPACKERS, and was a member of the Channel 4 Screenwriting Scheme. 

Her radio plays include WIDE OPEN SPACES (BBC Radio 4), starring Paapa Essiedu, which was the runner up for both the Mind Media Award and the Imison Award for Best Radio Drama, and THE LIFE CYCLE OF OSPREYS, starring Henry Goodman (also BBC Radio 4).

Her theatre plays include JINNY (commissioned and produced by Derby Theatre), COME TO WHERE I AM (Paines Plough and Derby Theatre), PHOTOS OF YOU SLEEPING which was in the final shortlist for the Papatango Award, and also received a reading at Hampstead Theatre, BARROW HILL and INWORLD (Finborough Theatre), A BITE OF THE APPLE (TBG Theatre, New York City), A GUIDE TO REMOVING CORPSE STAINS (Company of Angels at Theatre Royal York), HANDS FREE as part of HAVE IT! (the Old Vic Tunnels), PINOCCHIO GETS LAID OR THE TASTE OF US (Invertigo at HighTide Festival), LIFE MOULD (Theatre Centre) and PET'S CORNER (The Miniaturists at the Arcola Theatre). She was a member of the Royal Court Theatre’s Young Writers Programme (including their Invitation and ‘Supergroup’) and was fostered by OffWestEnd's Adopt A Playwright Award.

She has written extensively for young people including CONCRETE SUPERNOVA (Bush Theatre), and HOW I SKINNED MY SISTER and LEFTOVERS (Rich Mix and Soho Theatre). All three plays went on to headline the MILANO TEEN WRITING FESTIVAL in Milan, Italy. 

Jane is currently under commission to write a musical film for television and is developing a number of theatre and television projects.