Sophia Chetin-Leuner
Writer
Film, TV & Theatre
Film, TV & Theatre
Sophia is a writer from London. Her play THIS MIGHT NOT BE IT was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting (2020). In 2024, it received an extended, sell-out run at the Bush Theatre. It was published by Nick Hern Books. It was first developed when Sophia was on the Bush Theatre’s Emerging Writers’ Group (2018-19).
Sophia received the Dalio Foundation Scholarship to study at NYU Tisch’s Dramatic Writing MFA (2016-8). Sophia began writing PORN PLAY while there, which was also shortlisted for the Women’s Prize and was a finalist for the Verity Bargate Award (2022). It debuted at the Royal Court Upstairs in November 2025, in a critically acclaimed, sold-out run directed by Josie Rourke and starring Ambika Mod.
In 2023, Sophia joined BBC's Writer’s Room, where writers were selected from a nationwide open call and Sophia was one of just thirteen chosen from almost 5000 submissions (2022-3). Her pilot FIX was shortlisted for the C21 Drama Script competition (2021). In 2024, Sophia was selected for the BBC's Writers Pilot cohort, a year long scheme partnering writers with production companies for the opportunity to write the first episode of a potential BBC commissioned original drama series or serial. Sophia is writing her pilot for Greenacre Films.
In Development
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
OPEN WOUNDS | Greenacre Productions / BBC | TV show in development |
ONLY GIRL | Two Brothers / ITV | Original pilot in development |
TWICE REMOVED | Original pilot as part of the BBC Writer’s Room, 2022-23 | |
THE MONEY WHEEL | Film adaptation with SF studios | |
RESTORATION | Mam Tor/ BBC | New series in development |
THE TUTOR | Mam Tor | New TV project in development |
GENDER STUDIES | Lucky Doll | Original pilot in development |
FIX | TV spec pilot |
Theatre
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
PORN PLAY 2025 | Royal Court Theatre | Dir. Josie Rourke |
THIS MIGHT NOT BE IT 2024 | Bush Theatre Studio | Dir. Ed Madden |
CLICK & COLLECT 2020 | M6 Theatre Company | Short play commission as part of their series: Love in the Time of Corona Stories |
LEAVING EDEN 2019 | Scene Gym / Park Theatre | Rehearsed reading July 2019 |
SAVE + QUIT 2016 - 2018 | UK & Ireland Tour | The New Theatre, Dublin |
ASH 2016 | Park Theatre / HighTide Festival |
PORN PLAY - Royal Court Theatre, Nov 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ Chris Wiegand, The Guardian
“a play that confirms Chetin-Leuner as a clear-sighted yet sanguine chronicler of all manner of relationships, not least with ourselves.”
★ ★ ★ ★ Sarah Hemming, Financial Times
"Sophia Chetin-Leuner’s bold play, which dares to confront a deeply destructive contemporary issue with wit, care and sympathy."
★ ★ ★ ★ Olivia Rook, London Theatre
“Chetin-Leuner’s fearless examination of female desire.”
“In Porn Play’s final moments, shame and grief mingle together in a harrowing display that shows not only the skill of its lead performer, but the craft of its ambitious young writer.”
★ ★ ★ ★ Daz Gale, All That Dazzles
“shocking… unapologetic… refreshing in its open, stark honesty”
THIS MIGHT NOT BE IT - Bush Theatre Studio, Feb 2024
★ ★ ★ ★ Dave Fargnoli, The Stage
“Startlingly vivid”
“Compelling NHS-set drama of self-doubt and the struggle to keep hope alive”
★ ★ ★ ★ Clive Davis, The Times
“The beauty of this piece is that it speaks in a universal language”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Stuart Midwinter, Curtain Call
"If you only get chance to see one show this year, choose this one. Easily one of the best pieces of theatre I’ve seen for a long time. I encourage everyone to watch, you will not be disappointed."
★ ★ ★ ★ Olivia Rook, London Theatre
"Chetin-Leuner’s vision of the NHS is perceptive and devastatingly accurate, and her characters are so well drawn that they convey all the nuances of real people"
★ ★ ★ ★ Louisa Clarke, West End Best Friend
"It is clear Sophia Chetin-Leuner knows how to command an audience, showing a complete absence of the word ‘throwaway’ anywhere in her vocabulary and a pleasing affection for moments of silence holding a range of meaning, from tension to sadness to humour."
"Jay is a perfect vehicle for the beautiful metaphors and writing of wonderful precision, insight and perspective that Sophia Chetin-Leuner achieves."
★ ★ ★ ★ The Reviews Hub
"This Might Not Be It is a mirror to our times"