Phoebe Waller-Bridge buys £1m London flat to give rent-free to struggling writers

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has bought a £1million London flat, but it is not for her own use. According to the Daily Mail ^[1], the Fleabag creator has donated the property to help early-career writers live in the capital rent-free. The actress, 41, is known for her social conscience and has partnered with the initiative Writers’ Block to tackle the prohibitive cost of living for emerging talent.

The scheme aims to ensure that playwrights from disadvantaged backgrounds are not held back by London’s high rents. As reported by the BBC ^[3], Waller-Bridge bought the flat specifically for writers starting out, who will only be required to pay bills. She has also made what the initiative described as a "generous financial contribution".

Other high-profile figures have joined the effort, including Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne. The Independent ^[5] notes that Thorne is also providing financial backing, citing his own early struggles when he relied on his brother for accommodation in Croydon. "If you're from privilege, your biggest problem is what to fill a page with. If you're not, so much of your struggle is about the need to survive," Thorne said.

The initiative builds on the Adopt a Playwright Award, founded in 2008 by Sofie Mason and Diana Jervis-Read. The Guardian ^[4] reports that Waller-Bridge is part of a wider group of stars signing up to address class barriers in theatre. Backers also include James Graham, Sally Wainwright, and Peter Morgan, alongside Waller-Bridge’s partner, Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin McDonagh.

Writers’ Block operates in partnership with Omnibus Theatre in Clapham, connecting playwrights with hosts who offer spare rooms at reduced rates. According to the Independent ^[5], research indicates that working-class individuals make up just 16% of the creative industries workforce. Irish actor Alan Turkington, known for Heartstopper, is among those who have offered his own spare room to the scheme.

Waller-Bridge’s company, PMWB Limited, generated close to £16million in revenue during the fiscal year ending last November, per Companies House records cited by the Daily Mail ^[1]. Despite her financial success, she is reportedly keeping this latest charitable act discreet. A spokeswoman for Writers’ Block stated that Waller-Bridge "doesn't want to talk about it" but cares deeply about supporting talent that might otherwise struggle.