Screenwriter Tracey Murray’s own story is one worth sharing

I first met Tracey in March 2025 when I presented her with the Christie Award for Most Promising Student at the NFTS (National Film and Television School) graduation ceremony, held at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, London's iconic venue for movie premieres. It was already a special occasion, marking the 20th year that Christie had sponsored the award. However, it stands out in my memory as one of the most moving experiences I’ve had. In the famous lobby, Tracey was overwhelmed with emotion. She held my hand for a full minute, expressing with heartfelt sincerity that it was the best thing that had ever happened to her. We were both in tears by this stage. Tracey’s journey over the past 15 years has been one of finding her own voice and calling. Her path has been marked by overcoming significant challenges with resourcefulness, determination, and a willingness to take risks. She has accepted help and shown care to others, all while demonstrating clear talent.  

From women’s shelter… 

Tracey grew up in Peckham, a diverse South London neighbourhood with social and economic challenges. “Back in the day, living there was really rough, and I somehow thought that my love of entertaining would be my golden ticket out,” explains Tracey. “I was interested in music and theatre, and started at a school for the performing arts, but dropped out. I ended up moving to a women’s homeless shelter when I was 16. I was only supposed to be there for six months, but I was there until I was nineteen.”  

“In that environment, surrounded by women without many opportunities, I was in a cycle of bad mental health. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but I knew I loved television,” says Tracey. One of the first clues to finding her love for scriptwriting came towards the end of her time in the shelter. “The TV schedule was my best friend, and I started rewriting sentences or dialogue in my head as I watched,” she reflected.  

Tracey managed to get herself back into education with a one-year qualification, often taken as a route into university. According to Tracey, “We learnt everything from TV journalism to news packages, but I thought someone like me couldn’t go to university. It was my tutor, John, who encouraged me.”  

…to an advertising giant 

Tracey chose a broadcast-heavy degree in content development and production and secured an internship at the advertising giant, Ogilvy, where she managed advertisements. “When I was there, I saw a film called ‘This is England’. I became really, really obsessed with Warp Films, the production company that made it,” Tracey stresses. “A colleague at Ogilvy introduced me to a contact there. I relentlessly pursued her. Eventually, she said I could be an intern for a week. I knew I was taking a big risk, but it felt right. Maybe they would fall in love with me and hire me, even though there were only 10 people in the company.” 

Her hopes proved prophetic. “On my second day in the office, in walked the actor Idris Elba. He was making his directorial debut with the film ‘Yardie’, and I was given the script to read. I had never read a script before and had no idea what I was doing, but I made notes on it and at the end of the week, they offered me a full-time job,” she continued. 

It was at Warp Films that Tracey first heard of the NFTS. “They rated it as one of the best film schools and watched the graduate showreels.” Tracey again pulled out the stops and made a move to the BBC as a commissioning assistant. Despite some obvious successes in many different areas, she still didn’t know what she really wanted to do. She left the BBC for a marketing agency assisting producers to promote their Netflix films. “They were looking for a ‘fan first’ and I was definitely a Netflix fan. I marketed the programs from social media to premieres,” she says. Despite a lot of recognition, even winning several creative marketing awards, “I still didn’t feel totally fulfilled,” she continued. 

Working with very big brand names eventually led to her first opportunity to write and produce a joint project with Apple and the Mayor of London. “I had to give structure and story. I loved that I could make real change. I felt moved for the first time by what I was doing. And I remembered the NFTS,” Tracey explains. 

Accepted to the NFTS 

Tracey was named the Most Promising Student at this year’s NFTS graduation

Tracey was accepted into a six-month online course at the NFTS, and her tutors encouraged her to apply for the two-year Screenwriting MA. “You were supposed to submit a 20-page script, and I only had the five-pager I had written for the short course,” says Tracey. Nevertheless, now 35 years old, she was accepted onto the course with a full scholarship.  

Brian Ward, the course tutor for screenwriting, was one of many people who recognized Tracey’s talent and championed her. “Brian taught us two main things - the importance of finding your own voice and how to hone and polish that. We also studied more functional aspects- how to be economical, and how to convey action on paper,” says Tracey.  

A surprising aspect was finding some of her strengths, including collaborating with others. “I thought I was only interested in dark, gritty drama. But through collaborations, I became known for using humor in writing.” 

“I had heard about the Christie Award for Most Promising Student and joked it would be funny if someone from the Screenwriting course could win it next year,” says Tracey. At the awards, a quote is read on stage from the tutor saying why that year’s winner has been chosen, as a type of slow reveal leading up to the winner’s name. 

“The head of the NFTS, Jon Wardle, announced that the ‘big award’ was being presented. And that this year’s winner was from screenwriting! We were all really excited and looking at each other,” says Tracey. “As the description of the winner was being read, it became obvious it was a girl, so that left seven of us! By this time, I was clutching hands with a course member as the description of the winner went on…when I realised it was me! I broke down in tears and put my heels back on to go up to the stage. I was totally overcome.” 

“Yes, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had never heard anyone say something about me the way that Brian did. I get emotional now just thinking about it, again,” says Tracey, clearly overwhelmed again when I interviewed her a few weeks after her win.  

Beyond the NFTS 

The short “Red Egg & Ginger” will premiere at the Tribeca Festival in New York City.

More good things were to come shortly after her win. “Screen International ran an article on me, and I had loads of producers contact me- about 60!” shares Tracey. A short film she co-wrote at the NFTS called “RED EGG & GINGER” will have its world premiere in June at the Tribeca Festival in New York.   

Watch the trailer for “Red Egg & Ginger"

Looking to the future, Tracey’s main motivation is to inspire change through writing for a TV series. “I hope one day someone will come up to me and say I made a difference to them,” she shares. “The award has given me extra oomph and confidence to go forward. I wear it as a badge of honor.”  

For more info on the National Film and Television School go to nfts.co.uk