James Sweeney

Playwright & Screenwriter

About

James Sweeney is a UK playwright and screenwriter. He is the writer of Make It Count, a high-concept comedy-drama premiering at Louth Riverhead Theatre on 18–20 June 2026. He also writes for film and television, with work including Life Debt, Kate, One More Year, and Ark.He's drawn to material that’s original, bold, and pushes audiences to break from convention. He writes the kind of work he wants to experience himself — exciting, edgy, layered, and emotionally deep, with a healthy dose of black humour.James has recently accepted an invitation to be a judge and join the jury for Best Script Awards, after his recent success with Make It Count and screenplay work with Life Debt.Ticket links for 'Make It Count' performances are directly below. If you’d like to get in touch with James, or leave any feedback after watching a show, please use the contact form at the bottom of the page.

Louth Tickets – Make It Count – 18th–20th June 2026

Beyond the Curtain Interview – Make It Count – March 2026

Lincolnshire World Article – Make It Count – March 2026

Completed Works

  • STAGE PLAY - MAKE IT COUNT: is a high-concept comedy-drama. When Jonas dies unexpectedly, he is granted a second chance to relive the last sixteen years with the woman he loves. Armed with knowledge of the future, he attempts to perfect their life — only to discover that controlling fate slowly destroys the very love he is trying to save. Guided by the Grim Reaper’s well-meaning but inexperienced husband, Jonas becomes trapped in a time loop where every “improvement” carries unforeseen consequences.

  • FILM - LIFE DEBT: A traumatised ex-soldier coerced into causing a deadly coach crash joins forces with a compromised detective to expose the shadowy network controlling them both.

  • TV PILOT - KATE: Haunted by her past in Moscow, an ex-spy is drawn into the world of a powerful British family and tasked with retrieving stolen diaries that could ignite a geopolitical crisis.

  • FILM - ONE MORE YEAR: 10 years after KATE the TV Pilot.

  • FILM - ARK: A man is sent back to 2001 with a divine mission: protect a brilliant young physicist and escort her to a godlike being on the Moon to prevent Earth’s collapse. But every choice he makes in the past risks dooming the future he’s trying to save.

Recent News & Successes

  • Make It Count - Full production, scheduled at Louth Riverhead Theatre - 18-20 June 2026

  • Make It Count - Staged Reading, scheduled at Langham Court Theatre (Victoria, Canada) - September 2026 (exact date TBC)

  • Make It Count - Winner - Best Stage Play - Best Script Awards - London 2026

  • Make It Count - Winner - Scratch Night - Louth Riverhead Theatre - September 2025

  • James Sweeney - Invited to be a Judge for Best Script Awards - 2026

  • Life Debt - Winner - Best Thriller at the New York Script Awards - 2025

  • Life Debt - Finalist - Oxford Script Awards - 2026

  • Life Debt - Finalist - Berlin International Screenwriting Festival - 2025

  • Life Debt - Finalist - London Best Script Award - 2025

  • One More Year - Finalist - Chicago Script Awards - 2025

  • One More Year - Finalist - New York Script Awards - 2025

Contact