Regina Moriarty | Writer

Regina Moriarty | Writer

After leaving school at 15, Regina went back to college in her thirties. After working as a tutor in the Probation Service for 10 years, it wasn’t until Moriarty turned 41 that she decided to enrol at the National Film and Television School for an MA in Screenwriting at the National Film and Television School. On graduating she was accepted on to the Channel 4 ‘4Screenwriting’ scheme, and subsequently onto their ‘Coming Up’ scheme which offers new writers and directors the opportunity to make an original film with a guaranteed network broadcast. Her first television credit, Sammy's War, was followed by her next commission, Murdered By My Boyfriend for BBC Three, which this year saw Regina nominated for a BAFTA for Breakthrough Talent, and a second nomination as part of the writing team in the Single Drama category. She is currently co-writing a three-part drama with BAFTA-winning director Dominic Savage.

One of the things I’m happy about is that I can use this opportunity to say to people, ‘Don’t think you have to be young, rich or connected, or that you have to have been to Oxbridge to start screenwriting. I went to film school at 41 as a single mum, so if I can do it other people can. Whatever your gender, age or social status; you don’t need anyone’s permission to write. I was juggling lots of different balls at the same time, a job, being a mother, an MA. I don’t know how I did it now I think about it. But once I’d made the decision that I was going to have a go at screenwriting, that was it, I was off. I was really committed to it and I’ve remained so. The industry needs new people to keep the creative pool fresh. I’m all for encouraging people to have a go and not be put off by your age or your background.