In a dramatic turn of events, Graham Linehan, the writer behind beloved comedies like Father Ted and The IT Crowd, is planning to leave the UK and seek asylum in the United States as a self-described “free speech refugee.”
After decades living in Britain, the 57-year-old Irish-born writer is hoping to start over in a country he believes still values freedom of expression.
Arrest Sparks International Spotlight
Linehan’s troubles began when he was arrested at Heathrow Airport last week by armed police.
Authorities questioned him over three tweets defending women against transgender rights campaigners.
The tweets, which are now under investigation, included controversial language about enforcing female-only spaces.
The arrest came just before his scheduled trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he faces charges of harassing a transgender woman and allegedly damaging her phone.
For Linehan, this has been the culmination of a personal and professional storm.
Career and Personal Life Upended
The fallout from his online disputes has been severe.
Linehan says his career has effectively ended, most of his friendships have dissolved, and his 16-year marriage to writer Helen Serafinowicz has ended.
Even a planned Father Ted musical was canceled after he refused to remove his name from the credits.
“It’s almost impossible for someone like me to live in the UK,” Linehan said in a post.
“You cannot tell the truth without the police coming to your door.”
New Beginnings in Scottsdale
Seeking refuge in a place that values free speech, Linehan has set his sights on Scottsdale, Arizona, known as a stronghold for free expression.
He has teamed up with former Saturday Night Live star Rob Schneider and Irish playwright Andrew Doyle to form a production company called Friendly Fire. Their new comedy, Tenure, is scheduled to begin filming soon.
Legal Support and Asylum Bid
Rob Schneider confirmed that Linehan has retained MAGA lawyer Aaron Siri to handle the asylum request.
Siri, a vaccine skeptic closely associated with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will appeal directly to the Trump administration to secure Linehan’s status as a “United Kingdom free speech refugee.”
In December, Linehan praised the U.S. as a country where freedom of speech is still respected, contrasting it with the UK, which he claims has abandoned this principle.
A Cultural Battle Beyond Comedy
For Linehan, the issue isn’t just personal—it’s cultural.
He has repeatedly criticized the UK entertainment industry for avoiding accountability and ignoring harm to younger generations.
Now, his fight for free expression has taken on an international dimension, with the U.S. offering a potential lifeline as he seeks both safety and creative freedom.