
About me
Karina Wiedman is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and investigative researcher based in London.
In her writing she explores contemporary political issues and true events, drawing inspiration from her work at The Financial Times.
Karina trained at Guildhall School of Music & Drama (B.A. Acting, 2017) and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (M.F.A. in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media, 2020).
Her debut play, The Anarchist, premiered at Jermyn Street Theatre in London’s West End in 2022, winning the Woven Voices Prize. The play was published by Nick Hern Books, nominated for two Offies Awards, and received a four-star review from The Guardian.
In August 2025, The Anarchist will have its U.S. premiere at the LA Dance Project.
Her latest play, Julia: After 1984, a contemporary sequel to Orwell’s novel, premiered at the Brighton Fringe in 2025 to a five-star review and will transfer to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Karina also works for The Financial Times, where her investigations into the Wagner Group’s role in the Russo-Ukrainian War were honoured with the Overseas Press Club of America Award.
Theatre credits include: The Anarchist (LA Dance Project, 2025; Jermyn Street Theatre, 2022); .Julia: After 1984 (Summerhall, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2025; Omnibus Theatre, 2025; Brighton Fringe, 2025).
The Anarchist
Directed by Ebenezer Bamgboye
Written by Karina Wiedman
Jermyn Street Theatre, London — 2022
★ ★ ★ ★ The Guardian
★ ★ ★ ★ The Reviews Hub
★ ★ ★ ★ LPT
Winner of The Woven Voices Prize
2 OffWestEnd Nominations: Best Director & Performance Ensemble
Julia. After 1984
Omnibus Theatre 2025, Fri 25 July - Sat 26 July
Summerhall, Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Fri 1 Aug - Mon 11 Aug
Directed by Tanya Polosia, produced by Within Theatre Company
Written by Karina Wiedman
★ ★ ★ ★★ The Reviews Hub
★★★★ Broadway Baby
A torture survivor, Julia, returns to her interrogator, Thought Police officer O'Brien, only to trigger a cruel cat-and-mouse game that will endanger them both.
The Last Russian Musical
Play currently in development — 2025
At the beginning of Putin’s reign in 2002, a group of Chechen rebels infiltrates a Moscow theatre and takes one thousand people hostage. That’s when a journalist, Anna Politkovskaya, volunteers to negotiate with the terrorists’ leader to prevent a tragedy, only to discover the true price she must pay for her country.
Based on a true story.
The Cherry Orchard
NEW YORK TRANSFER 2025, Wed 26 Mar - Sun 20 Apr
Directed by Benedict Andrews
Russian consultant Karina Wiedman
Donmar Warehouse, West End — 2024
★★★★★ The Guardian
★★★★★ Time Out
★★★★★ Evening Standard
No Caller
Short film
San Diego international Film Festival - 2023
Directed by Sarah Sigal, produced by Liv Edmunds
Written by Karina Wiedman
Winner — Best Actress, Ukraine International Film Festival
Winner — Best Producer, San Diego international Film Festival
Finalist — Berlin Shorts Award
'Wiedman's award-winning play is a gripping exploration of youthful politicisation and the grinding down of those beliefs over a lifetime of disillusion and betrayal... migrant voices like Wiedman's need to be heard'
Maryam Philpott’s review on The Anarchist
The Reviews Hub
'Has a diary-like intimacy, lit up by vivid details and an innocent sense of humour... Powerful and beautifully layered... an open-hearted and moving piece of writing'
Miriam Gillinson’s review on The Anarchist
The Guardian