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Mike Bartlett Headshot

BIO

Mike Bartlett is a British playwright, screenwriter, and director who is known for his works that explore contemporary issues and relationships. He was born in 1980 in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and studied English and Theatre Studies at the University of Leeds.

Bartlett began his career as a playwright in 2004 with his play "My Child," which was produced at the Bristol Old Vic. He gained critical acclaim in 2007 with his play "Contractions," which premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London. The play, which explores the dehumanizing effects of corporate culture, was later produced off-Broadway in New York City.
In 2010, Bartlett wrote "Earthquakes in London," which premiered at the National Theatre in London. The play, which deals with climate change and the interconnectedness of people's lives, was praised for its ambitious scope and innovative staging.
Bartlett's most famous work is "King Charles III," which premiered at the Almeida Theatre in London in 2014 before transferring to the West End and then to Broadway. The play imagines a future in which Prince Charles becomes King of England and refuses to sign a controversial bill into law, leading to a constitutional crisis. "King Charles III" won the Olivier Award for Best New Play and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Bartlett has also written for television. He wrote the BBC drama series "Doctor Foster," which premiered in 2015 and starred Suranne Jones as a woman who discovers that her husband is having an affair. The series was a critical and commercial success and won the BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series.
Bartlett has also written several other television dramas, including "The Town" and "Press." He has also written for the popular science fiction series "Doctor Who," contributing an episode to the show's ninth season.
In 2017, Bartlett wrote "Albion," which premiered at the Almeida Theatre in London. The play, which explores themes of nostalgia and national identity, was well-received by critics and audiences alike.
Bartlett's most recent work is the television series "Life," which premiered on BBC One in 2020. The series, which stars Alison Steadman and Peter Davison, follows the interconnected lives of a group of people living in a large house in Manchester.

Photos

Productions

 
[West End, 2022]
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[West End, 2022]
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[West End, 2022]
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Writing

Playwright
Playwright

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play

Mike Bartlett, King Charles III

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding New Broadway Play

Mike Bartlett, King Charles III

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Play

Mike Bartlett, King Charles III

Evening Standard Awards - 2014 - Best Play

Mike Bartlett, King Charles III

Videos

News

VLADIMIR, THE WATERFALL, BRACE BRACE to Headline Shattered Globe's 36th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 17, 2026

Shattered Globe Theatre's new season under Producing Artistic Director Ian Frank will include Midwest premieres of VLADIMIR and THE WATERFALL alongside BRACE BRACE at Theater Wit in Chicago.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL CONTINUES to Open at Old Fire Station in Oxford
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 3, 2026

Jonny Donahoe's comic sequel to Dickens' classic, set seven years after Scrooge's haunting, examines landlord exploitation and the housing crisis at the Old Fire Station in Oxford.
Review: Heart of Gold's AN INTERVENTION at Pierce Hall At The Historic Chicago Temple Building
by Angela Lin - Aug 1, 2026

The 2014 award-winning and timeless dramatic comedy by Mike Bartlett remains ever relevant today as we explore interventions on multiple fronts. 
OPEN WORKS Festival Reveals Full Programming at Sheffield Theatres
by Stephi Wild - Jul 31, 2026

Sheffield Theatres has announced a full lineup for OPEN WORKS, a new festival featuring premieres, staged readings, and industry talks across the Playhouse, Montgomery Theatre, and Montgomery Studio.
Full Cast and Creatives Set For BULL UK Tour
by Stephi Wild - Jul 14, 2026

Deafinitely Theatre, Birmingham Rep, and Park Theatre announced the full cast and creative team for the UK tour of Mike Bartlett's BULL, performed entirely in British Sign Language with creative captions.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 29, 2026- Go Inside the LIZA AT 80! Celebration with Kristin Chenoweth and More
by - Jun 27, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 29, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Interview: Max Cortezi Reflects on COCK and the Importance of Bringing Gay Stories to the Stage
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 26, 2026

Cock by Mike Bartlett is back on stage this summer and Max Cortezi is a big part of its return. Not only does he star as M, but he is producing the beloved play as an AEA Equity-Approved Showcase. Due to popular demand the show has added two additional performances on Tuesday, June 30 and Thursday July 2. BroadwayWorld checked in with Max at the height of the show's run to find out how it's been going so far!
TWELFTH NIGHT to Return to The Dukes Lancaster With All-Female and Non-Binary Cast
by Stephi Wild - Jun 3, 2026

HER Productions will present an all-female and non-binary cast adaptation of Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT at The Dukes Lancaster, featuring Coronation Street actors Channique Sterling Brown, Hannah Ellis-Ryan, and Beth Vyse.
EVERY BRILLIANT THING Will Come to the New Vic Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 6, 2026

Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara will present EVERY BRILLIANT THING, written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and directed by Jenny Sullivan, starring Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper at the New Vic Theatre.
Park Theatre Reveals HOLY FOOL World Premiere for Summer And Autumn Season Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 31, 2026

PARK THEATRE will present five new productions this summer and autumn, including the world premiere of HOLY FOOL and adaptations of THE PIANIST and BULL. The season features a mix of community-driven and historical narratives.
Deafinitely Theatre Will Launch UK Tour of Mike Bartlett’s BULL
by Stephi Wild - Mar 17, 2026

To celebrate Sign Language Week, Deafinitely Theatre has announced the UK tour of Bull by Mike Bartlett in a co-production with Birmingham Rep and Park Theatre.
Mike Bartlett's COCK Returns to London with New Staging at COLAB This Spring
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2026

Following sold-out runs in Canada and tours to Japan, South Africa, and Brazil, Cock will return to London this spring in a raw, intimate new staging from Canada's acclaimed Talk Is Free Theatre. 
Katonah Classic Stage to Showcase New Reading Series in March 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2026

Katonah Classic Stage will present a new reading series in March 2026, featuring a lineup of classic plays and contemporary works. The series aims to enrich the local cultural scene with diverse theatrical performances.
Meet the Cast of GIANT, Now Playing on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 11, 2026

Performances are now underway for the Broadway run of the Olivier Award-winning hit play Giant, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner and written by Mark Rosenblatt. Meet the cast here!
Arena Stage Welcomes Darren Johnston as Associate Artistic Director
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has named Darren Edward Johnston as Associate Artistic Director of Commercial Strategy and Partnership.
Roxana Silbert Will Direct CHARIOTS OF FIRE UK Tour
by Stephi Wild - Nov 19, 2025

Based on the multi Oscar and BAFTA award winning film, Chariots of Fire is inspired by the extraordinary true story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, as they strive for glory in the 1924 Paris Olympics. 
Tony Winner Daniel Radcliffe Will Star in EVERY BRILLIANT THING on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 29, 2025

Daniel Radcliffe is heading back to Broadway in 2026. The Tony winner will star in the Broadway transfer of Duncan Macmillan's Every Brilliant Thing, directed by Jeremy Herrin and Macmillan. Performances will begin on February 21 at the Hudson Theatre, with an opening set for March 12.
Aya Cash, Rachael Stirling & Elliot Levey Join John Lithgow in GIANT on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 15, 2025

John Lithgow leads an exciting cast, including Aya Cash, in GIANT on Broadway, starting March 11, 2026. Get your tickets now!
Mike Bartlett's BULL, Directed by Max Hunter, Extends at JACK
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 26, 2025

Mike Bartlett’s Bull, a fast-paced vicious dive into office politics, has been extended at JACK. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 28, 2025
by - Aug 28, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 28, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Mike Bartlett written?

Mike Bartlett has written 3 shows including Cock (Playwright), Chariots of Fire (Playwright), Love, Love, Love (Playwright).

What awards has Mike Bartlett been nominated for?

Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play (Drama League Awards) for King Charles III, Outstanding New Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for King Charles III, Best Play (Tony Awards) for King Charles III and Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for King Charles III.

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