Sophie Stone on Writing a Play, a Sitcom and the Power of Difference

From Screen to Stage: Stone’s Latest Projects

Sophie Stone has spent the past year shifting her creative focus from the screen to the page. While audiences still know her from the acclaimed series Falling and the thriller Retreat, she is now channeling that experience into two very different formats: a stage play that delves into family dynamics and a sitcom that aims to capture everyday humor rooted in cultural contrast.

The Play in Development

The forthcoming play, still untitled, follows two siblings who reunite after years apart, each carrying the weight of unspoken expectations. Stone says the narrative is built on “the idea that our differences can become a source of strength rather than division.” She draws on personal stories from her own family, noting that the script balances moments of tension with moments of quiet reflection.

In an interview she explained, “When I write for the stage I can hear the pauses, the breaths between lines. That rhythm forces me to think about what is left unsaid, and that is where the real gain happens.”

A Sitcom That Reflects Real Life

Parallel to the play, Stone is co‑creating a sitcom set in a multicultural neighbourhood of London. The series follows a deaf community centre manager who navigates the quirks of her hearing neighbours, a local café owner, and a group of aspiring musicians. The premise is deliberately light‑hearted, yet it never shies away from the challenges faced by deaf individuals.

Stone emphasizes that comedy can be a powerful tool for empathy. “Laughter opens doors that a lecture cannot,” she said. “When people laugh together, they are more likely to listen afterwards.”

Being Part of the 2026 BAFTA Breakthrough Cohort

In early 2026, Stone was announced as a member of the BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, a programme that supports emerging talent across film, television and games. The cohort is limited to a select group of writers, directors and producers who have demonstrated both artistic promise and a commitment to inclusive storytelling.

What the Cohort Means for Emerging Talent

According to the official BAFTA Breakthrough page, participants receive mentorship, industry networking and access to resources that can accelerate a project’s development. Stone described the experience as “a collective chance to listen to what deaf people are saying, and to amplify those voices through our work.”

She also highlighted the importance of peer support within the cohort. “We share drafts, give honest feedback, and celebrate each other’s milestones. It feels like a community built on mutual respect for our different perspectives,” she noted.

Advocacy for Deaf Voices in Media

Stone’s commitment to deaf representation extends beyond her own projects. She regularly collaborates with the British Deaf Association to ensure that scripts are reviewed by deaf consultants. This practice helps avoid stereotypes and promotes authentic dialogue.

Why Representation Matters

Research from the UK communications regulator shows that deaf characters remain under‑represented on mainstream television. A recent Ofcom media literacy study found that less than 5 percent of on‑screen characters are deaf, despite the community comprising roughly 2 percent of the population.

Stone argues that this gap is both a missed opportunity for storytelling and a barrier to social inclusion. “When audiences see authentic deaf characters, they gain insight into a world they might never have imagined,” she said. “That insight can shift attitudes and open up real‑world opportunities for deaf professionals.”

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

As Stone balances the development of her play and sitcom, she remains focused on the broader impact of her work. She outlines three key areas where she believes the industry can improve:

1. Inclusive Casting: Prioritising deaf actors for deaf roles and providing sign‑language coaches on set.
2. Accessible Production Environments: Ensuring that rehearsal spaces and writers’ rooms are equipped with visual alerts and captioning tools.
3. Storytelling That Highlights Difference as Strength: Crafting narratives where cultural and ability differences are central to character growth rather than peripheral obstacles.

Stone’s own journey illustrates how these principles can be put into practice. Her upcoming play will feature a deaf actor in a lead role, and the sitcom’s writers’ room includes both hearing and deaf contributors who collaborate via a shared digital platform that supports real‑time captioning.

When asked what she hopes audiences will take away from her projects, Stone responded, “I want people to leave the theatre or the living room feeling that their unique experiences are valuable. That there is always something to gain when we listen to each other.”

With the BAFTA Breakthrough cohort providing a supportive network, and with partnerships that embed deaf expertise into every stage of production, Stone is positioning herself as a catalyst for change in the UK entertainment landscape.

Her work serves as a reminder that the creative industry thrives when it embraces a spectrum of voices. As new scripts move from page to performance, the hope is that more audiences will recognize the richness that comes from celebrating, rather than erasing, differences.