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