Phoebe Waller-Bridge buys London flat and lends it rent-free to early-career writers

Fleabag creator, writer and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge has bought a London flat and is lending it rent-free to writers early in their careers through the new theatre initiative Writers' Block, with residents paying only the bills. The scheme aims to tackle the cost of London accommodation that keeps playwrights from disadvantaged backgrounds from spending time in the capital. (Photo: a still from Fleabag.)

How it works: hosts paired with writers, capped at £500 a month

Writers' Block was created by Sofie Mason and Diana Jervis-Read, the founders of the Off West End Theatre Awards (the Offies) and OffWestEnd.com, in partnership with the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham. It grew out of the Adopt a Playwright Award, which the pair founded in 2008. The scheme pairs playwrights with "Omnihosts" — Londoners willing to offer a spare room or property at dramatically reduced rates, capped at £30 a night or £500 a month, with many charging less; Waller-Bridge's flat is provided entirely rent-free. In its pilot year, 15 homes have signed up and 12 writers have found somewhere to stay, for periods ranging from a single night to longer-term placements.

Leading writers back the scheme; 55 writers supported so far

As well as donating the flat, Waller-Bridge has made what the scheme called a "generous financial contribution." Other backers include Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne, Dear England playwright James Graham, Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright, The Crown writer Peter Morgan, and Waller-Bridge's partner Martin McDonagh, director of The Banshees of Inisherin. The Adopt a Playwright Award has supported 55 writers as winners or runners-up to date.

(Sources: BBC, The Guardian, WhatsOnStage, November 3-4, 2026.)