Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Yassmin’s breakthrough project is Emmerdale.

Starting out building race cars and working on oil rigs, Yassmin Abdel-Magied’s life has never followed a traditional script. Born in Sudan and raised in Australia, the mechanical engineer published her first book at 24 and won several awards for grassroots community work before her creative talents took her to the global stage, presenting international documentaries, current affairs programs and keynotes around the world. Today, television is where she’s making her mark.

As the first Muslim writer on one of Britain’s most loved continuing dramas Yassmin is proud to be contributing to the fabric of British TV and creating characters that are representative of life in the UK today. On her breakthrough project Emmerdale, the writer has helped introduce the first core Muslim character and has been commissioned to write almost a dozen episodes. She is also working on a slate of original work, including a drama in development with the BBC.

In her own words…

“I’ve often been a ‘fish out of water’, but my varied life experience means I’ve plenty to draw from when it comes to stories. I’m used to the rejection and resilience that’s required to survive this industry, and appreciate the challenges make the wins all the sweeter…

“I love bringing the fresh and unexpected to the screen. Worlds that I know and love, characters I’ve grown up around, stories told and retold but not yet broadcast, not yet made mainstream… and I love doing it in subversive and surprising ways. I want to write the Muslim kid in the village, the black femme driving a race car, the immigrant auntie saving the day. I want it to be hooky and compelling and undeniable. I want to entertain, to move, to inspire…follow in the footsteps of the greats!”