Geordie screenwriter Peter Straughan hailed an 'absolute rockstar' after Golden Globe win

Peter Straughan has previously won a BAFTA for his work on 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'. Credit: PA Images

A screenwriter from Gateshead celebrated success at the 2025 Golden Globes in California, and the industry in the North East is praising his achievement.

Peter Straughan, who grew up on Tyneside, picked up Best Screenplay for Conclave - a film about secrets and corruption within the Church as cardinals vote for a new pope.

Starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, the film received six nominations but only came away with one award.

The award ceremony on Sunday 5 January celebrated the best in film and television from the last 12 months.

Other winners at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards included Demi Moore, Adrien Brody, and British TV series Baby Reindeer.

Straughan has previously had silverware success with the BAFTA-winning Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and was nominated for an Emmy for his television adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Booker Prize-winning novels Wolf Hall.

Closer to home, he was writer-in-residence at Newcastle's Live Theatre and North East Screen have hailed his work.

Alison Gwynne, Chief Executive of North East Screen, said: "I mean Golden Globes, and hearing a Geordie accent it doesn't get better than that, does it?

"I stayed up to watch, I mean the fact that he was nominated in such a stellar year was great and to see his little face when he got up on the stage and made such a brilliant speech, I just feel really proud.

"I think it's really, really important for the world to see that there is world-class talent in the North East. Peter is an absolute rockstar and we're really excited about where he's got to in his journey, but also it demonstrates that there is opportunity for emerging talent in the region to reach great heights."

There are big plans for the North East to make its mark in the world of television and film with the Crown Works Studio development in Sunderland leading the way.

Alison added: "We've got to do a couple of things to grow a sustainable sector in the region. We've got to bring global production into the region, whether that's film or television, but we've also got to grow our indigenous talent so we tell our own stories and we create our own IP [intellectual property]. Being able to see Peter do what he's done helps both of those things."

Later this month, Straughan is heading back to the region to host a screenwriters workshop with North East Screen.

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