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The writers

Britain's newest writing talent

Directed by BAFTA winner Dominic Savage, 'The Secrets' is a series of five stand-alone dramas commissioned for Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú One, exploring the links, pressures and expectations that draw people together and tear them apart.

To make 'The Secrets', Savage worked with four upcoming writers - Nick Payne, Sarah Solemani, Elinor Cook and Ben Ockrent - giving voice to some of Britain's best new talent.

Read more about the writers below.

Dominic Savage worked with four of the UK's best new writers to create 'The Secrets'

Nick Payne

Nick studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama and the University of York. He won the prestigious George Devine Award in 2009 with his play If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet and made his debut at the Royal Court theatre in September 2010 with his comedy Wanderlust.

In January 2012, Nick's play, Constellations, opened at the Royal Court Upstairs starring Rafe Spall and Sally Hawkins, and was directed by Michael Longhurst. Constellations transferred to the West End in November 2012. It won the Evening Standard Best Play Award and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Play. Constellations transfers to Broadway in late 2014, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Michael Longhurst.

In August 2013, Nick's dark comedy, The Same Deep Water As Me, premiered at the Donmar Warehouse, starring Nigel Lindsay and Daniel Mays. It was nominated for the 2014 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. He also wrote the episode 'The Return'.

Nick wrote 'The Dilemma' starring Alison Steadman and Olivia Colman

Sarah Solemani

Best known for her roles in Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Three comedies Bad Education and Him And Her, for which Sarah received the Best Comedy Actress awards at the RTS Awards 2011, Sarah’s writing talents span theatre, TV, film and radio.

Sarah’s plays have been showcased at the Old Vic and Soho Theatre. She has written the play The Crazy Sexy Cool Girl's Fan Club for the National Theatre's 2015 'Connections' Season. In 2013, Sarah starred in Sky Living HD’s Aphrodite Fry, which she wrote for the channel’s Love Matters series.

In the US, Sarah has a blind pilot order and script deal for her comedy Blow Up Dolls.

Sarah Solemani wrote and stars in 'The Conversation' with Rupert Evans

Elinor Cook

Elinor was the winner of the George Devine Award 2013 for Most Promising Playwright. Her short play, The Circle Game, was the winner of the Old Vic New Voices Time Warner Ignite 3 competition and This Is Where We Got To When You Came In, an interactive performance co-written by Elinor and Non Zero One, was awarded Best Entertainment at the Off West End Awards. Elinor’s play Microwave was short listed for the Old Vic/Theatre 503 Award for new writing.

In 2012, Elinor was part of Paines Plough’s ‘The Big Room’ in association with Channel 4. She was also part of the Royal Court Writing Super Group in 2012, during which she wrote her play The Girls’ Guide To Saving The World.

She is currently writing a new play as part of the 2015 National Theatre Connections programme and is soon to begin an attachment to the NT Studio.

Joanne Froggatt and Emilia Fox star in 'The Lie' which was written by Elinor Cook

Ben Ockrent

Ben’s first play, The Pleasure Principle, was staged at the Tristan Bates Theatre in October 2007. He participated in The Great Game: Afghanistan, a series of commissioned plays about Afghanistan for the Tricycle Theatre in 2009, with his work Honey. His latest play, Breeders, will soon open at St James Theatre, directed by Tamara Harvey.

In 2013, Ben wrote and directed the short film, Dust, staring Alan Rickman and Jodie Whittaker. For television, Ben has written episodes for Waterloo Road, Material Girl and E4’s Youngers.

Ben Ockrent wrote 'The Visitor' which features Paige Meade & Anthony Welsh