Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creative powerhouse behind the smash BBC comedy Fleabag and a key contributor to the latest James Bond hit, was recently seen out and about in north London — and fans are buzzing that she might be cooking up something new.
The 40-year-old actress and writer looked laid-back in denim dungarees, casually carrying a folder full of notes, fueling speculation she’s deep into developing her next big script.
The High Stakes Amazon Deal and the Pressure to Deliver
Back in 2019, Phoebe signed a massive $100 million five-year deal with Amazon after a fierce bidding war in Hollywood, a clear sign of how highly studios valued her unique voice following Fleabag’s final season.
But despite the big bucks and high expectations, the streaming giant is still waiting for her next big hit.
One of her most anticipated projects was a Tomb Raider TV series, which unfortunately seems to have hit a dead end.
Sources say the series is “dead” for now, with no filming underway in early 2025 — despite promises from Prime Video executives last year.
Even Sophie Turner, reportedly in talks to play Lara Croft, has been tied up with other films.
Behind the Scenes Challenges and Leadership Shakeups
The Tomb Raider project faced a serious blow last week when Jennifer Salke, the Amazon Studios head who originally signed Phoebe and championed the deal, was ousted.
Salke’s tenure is now seen as a mixed bag, with the expensive Phoebe deal often cited as one of the major missteps, possibly contributing to her departure.
Despite the setbacks, Phoebe has stayed busy with acting roles in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and the animated IF.
She also co-wrote the script for the 2021 James Bond film No Time To Die.
However, not all her ventures have gone smoothly — she was set to write and star in a TV reboot of Mr and Mrs Smith, but left the project in 2021, and her writing contributions were removed from the final show.
New Projects and Personal Life Highlights
Phoebe is slated to star in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, an American fantasy movie featuring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell — the latter known for his work with Phoebe’s partner, Martin McDonagh.
Speaking of Martin, the British-Irish playwright and filmmaker has been her partner since 2017.
In interviews, Phoebe has shared how collaborating and swapping notes with someone she calls a genius pushes her creatively.
What’s Next for Phoebe Waller-Bridge?
Though Tomb Raider remains stalled, seeing Phoebe out with a folder full of notes suggests she’s far from done.
Fans will be eager to see what fresh, inventive project emerges from one of today’s most distinctive creative voices.