You Could Live Rent-Free in Fleabag's Flat

Fleabag creator, writer and actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge is offering a rent-free flat in London for writers early in their careers.

As part of a new theatre initiative, Writers’ Block, the multi-Emmy winner has bought and donated the home specifically for underprivileged writers hoping to establish their careers in the notoriously expensive city. Her flat will be provided without rent, with the resident paying bills only. So, there won’t be any chance of a hot priest have access at your pleasure. But what a cool idea, and a great use of a privileged person’s resources.

Waller-Bridge isn’t the only one on board with this scheme. Other donors include Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne, Peter Morgan of The Crown fame, and writer-director Martin McDonagh, who is also Waller-Bridge’s partner. The pair recently had a baby.

James Graham, another donor who is well known for plays like Quiz and Dear England, told the BBC, “The industry’s urgent pursuit of representation is still letting down the biggest area of under-representation of all, which is class. When I first made it to London, I slept on friends’ floors and worked in call centres and bars while I wrote. Every spare room a scheme like this can give to writers starting out in London, not only helps them write but saves them from giving up completely.”

Phoebe is currently working on the Amazon series of Tomb Raider, starring Sophie Turner, as its showrunner. She famously landed wildly expensive exclusivity deal with Amazon, for which she’s not done very much. Absolute genius. More money for less work? The dream right now. So, I heartily approve of her taking Jeff Bezos’s cash and doing something tangible in the name of supporting others in her field. Classism has wrecked British culture and the London-centric nature of everything makes it nigh-on impossible to get your foot on the ladder if you’re not well-connected, from a rich family, or privately educated. The chance to live in London without having to pay rent, allowing you all that access on the same level as the nepo babies and poshos? That’s priceless. Bravo, Phoebe and company. Please include at least one guinea pig plushie.