Afsaneh Gray
Writer
Photograph: Credit Geraint Lewis
Film, TV & Theatre
Film, TV & Theatre
Afsaneh is a playwright and screenwriter. She was recently on attachment at the National Theatre Studio and her play FISHVILLE will be a part of National Theatre Connections 2026. She is currently a resident artist at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
Her original comedy-drama pilot SALTWELL is currently being developed through the UK and Europe Writers Lab.
Afsaneh was one of three selected writers for the development phase of the Independent Film Trust's Elevate Writers Room. Her original TV comedy LULU THE EXTREMIST was selected for development from a pitch to a treatment and then a script through the UKTV Comedy 50:50 scheme.
Her play EXCEPTIONAL was longlisted for the 2025 Bruntwood Prize and Women's Prize for Playwriting.
In 2018, Afsaneh won The Brian Way Award. Following a national call out for treatments on the theme of 'Treaty' to mark the Treaty of Versailles centenary, her play THE BORDER was commissioned by Theatre Centre and toured school and venues in 2019.
In Development
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
EXCEPTIONAL | *Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Playwrighting, *Longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize. | |
FISHVILLE | National Theatre Connections | Touring 2026 |
GIVE A MAN A BIBLE | *Shortlisted for the Theatre Uncut Political Playwriting Award |
Television
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
SHAKESPEARE AND HATHAWAY | U/ ALIBI/ BBC | 1 x 45' DESTRUCTION, BLOOD AND MASSACRE - TX date 08/10/2025 |
DOCTORS 2020 - 2023 | BBC | 7 x 30' |
Theatre
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
FULL LENGTH PLAYS | ||
THE TASK 2022 | Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts | Dir. Tian Glasgow |
THE BORDER 2019 | Theatre Centre / National Tour | Dir. Natalie Wilson |
OCTOPUS 2016 - 2017 | Assembly Box, Edinburgh Fringe/London transfer to Theatre503/UK Tour Spring 2017 | Dir. Pia Furtado |
AND THE CROWD (WEPT) 2013 | Tête à Tête Opera Festival, Riverside Studios, London | (work in progress showing) |
SHORT PLAYS | ||
THE FOOL ON THE HILL (IL MATTO SULLA COLLINA) 2016 | Scuola di Teatro Paolo Grassi Milan, Italy | |
PLAY 21 2016 | Paines Plough Roundabout/ Edinburgh Fringe | |
BATR, ZONE C 2016 | Theatre503 / The State We’re In | |
PLAY 11 2016 | Vault Festival / PLAY (People’s Choice Award) | |
EVERWEATHER 2014 | Papercut Productions, XY/ Edinburgh/Latitude Festival | |
PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG MAN, PROBABLY AN ARAB 2012 | V&A Late / Victoria & Albert Museum | |
THE FAIRGROUND (MAN/ WALL, THE CAROUSEL, FORTUNE TELLER) 2012 | Theatre Delicatessen/ Bush Bazaar/ Bush Theatre | |
THE MARTIAN CABARET 2012 | Blast Off! / Soho Theatre | |
OLD BAG 2012 | Rapid Write Rewind / Theatre503 | 1-week run of ‘best of’ RWR plays |
LOLA, OLD BAG, MAN X 2012 | Rapid Write Response/ Theatre503 | |
SHEPPERTON ROAD (episodes 2 & 4) 2010 | Iso Productions/ Rosemary Branch | |
ENTER STRANGER 2010 | Central School of Speech and Drama | Co-written with Rosa Connor |
RATHER THAN WORDS COMES THE THOUGHT OF HIGH WINDOWS 2010 | Market Estate Demolition Event/ Iso Productions | Co-written with Rosa Connor |
Other
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
THE OTHER WOMAN 2023 | Audible | Commission as part of Audible's Emerging Playwrights Fund |
RESIDENCIES & COURSES | (Current) 2023-2024 2015 2014 2013 2013 |