Became involved in student theatre, while attending Leeds University

With fellow student Mark Wadlow, co-wrote the play “Gross,” based on Wadlow's summer job at a call centre; premiered it at the Edinburgh Festival

Co-wrote with Wadlow an input on the script of John Schlesinger's movie “Madame Sousatzka”

Wrote the British dramedy series “Metropolis”

Wrote “The Jury” a British miniseries starring Gerard Butler and Derek Jacobi

Wrote "The Deal" a television drama about the power-sharing deal between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown

Penned the PBS movie “Henry VIII” starring Ray Winstone and Helena Bonham Carter

With Jeremy Brook, adapted Giles Foden's award-winning debut novel “The Last King of Scotland”

Penned "The Queen" a film starring Helen Mirren that showed the impact of the death of Princess Diana on the British royal family; earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay

Penned first play "Frost/Nixon” about David Frost's 1977 television interviews with former United States President Richard Nixon; earned a Tony nomination for Best Play

Wrote the screenplay adaptation of Philippa Gregory's novel, “The Other Boleyn Girl” starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson

Adapted his play "Frost/Nixon" into a feature film, which was directed by Ron Howard; earned Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Screenplay