Phoebe Waller-Bridge has had an incredible 2019, winning acclaim – and Emmy Awards – for the second series of her peerless TV creation, Fleabag. Through its frank depiction of a woman struggling with love, grief, sisterhood and a gin-fuelled crush on a member of the clergy, Fleabag spoke to the nation and made Phoebe a sensation. But, if this year was one of surprise success, sources tell Grazia that 2020 is set to be her best yet.
Phoebe capped off 2019 with a sold-out Q&A at London’s Southbank Centre, with Guilty Feminist podcast host Deborah Frances-White. On stage, they discussed the future, with Phoebe revealing that she is working on a new film with her sister Isobel, a composer who wrote the music for Fleabag.
‘I went to bed on the last day of filming thinking, “That was the most amazing journey, I hope I have another idea,” and the next morning I had this idea. I’ve never been more excited about anything. It’s a movie and I’m collaborating with my sister.’
The film is one of many projects Phoebe will juggle in 2020, with her work on the next Bond film, No Time To Die, arriving in April. She was brought in by Daniel Craig and Barbara Broccoli, the franchise’s veteran producer, to polish the script. ‘I got a call from them saying, “We like your work, can you come in and help us?” It was just really exciting to be a part of it. There were a bunch of writers, so I was a smallcontribution to this thing.’ That trademark Fleabag wit may be too sharp to miss, though. Asked if her contributions would be evident, Phoebe replied: ‘Ideally, it will be so seamless that you won’t know. But secretly, I’m really hoping you will.’
Next, she starts work on a lucrative partnership with Amazon, who broadcast Fleabag in the US, after signing a deal worth more than £15 million. ‘I’m insanely excited,’ she has said. ‘It really feels like home. I can’t wait to get going.’ Details of her next projects with the company are under wraps, but Sian Clifford, who plays Fleabag’s pencil-haired sister Claire, tells Grazia that she will be first in line. ‘We’re going to collaborate forever,’ she says. ‘Her ideas are extraordinary and unique, so whatever she creates, I would love to be a part of.’
Andrew Scott, better known as Fleabag’s Hot Priest, echoes the sentiment. ‘There are plans to work together again,’ he revealed last week. ‘It’s very rare that you’re able to make something of this calibre with somebody who is so generous and fun and you adore as a person. The more of that, the better, as far as I’m concerned.’
The success of Fleabag has brought Phoebe international acclaim, but has also won her a host of famous fans. Cara Delevingne calls her ‘one of my really close friends,’ and Emilia Clarke, who starred with her in Star Wars prequel Solo, says: ‘The love I have for this human is more real than equal rights for droids in space.’
‘She’s fabulous,’ Lauren Laverne tells Grazia, who interviewed the star on 6Music last week. ‘She drills down into something so specific, and odd and strange.’ Aisling Bea, writer and star of Channel 4’s This Way Up, says Phoebe is part of a rare group. ‘There aren’t that many of us who’ve made our own show and starred in it. We share our stories and look out for each other.’
And, since taking the theatre show ofFleabag to New York, Phoebe has made friends in some very high places. American Vogue editor Anna Wintour hosted an intimate dinner to welcome her to the city earlier this year, attended by Tina Fey, Sienna Miller and Anne Hathaway. Last month, Amy Schumer shared a photo of herself on a night out with Phoebe and Jennifer Lawrence. ‘Phoebe’s life has been a whirlwind in the past year and the Emmys opened a lot of doors,’ a US source explains. ‘The world is her oyster. She has known Amy for a little while, but she’s only just swapped numbers with Jennifer. They really hit it off.’
Amy and Jennifer are hoping to collaborate on a film that would feature them as sisters, and have a script, but it is yet to go into production. ‘They would love to have another woman on-board as they hunt for a director,’ the source says. ‘They are keen to know what Phoebe thinks, and potentially bring her in as a script doctor.’
On a personal level, she recently moved in with Oscar-winning director Martin McDonagh, with whom she has been in a relationship for two years. ‘Many of her friends already refer to Martin as “Phoebe’s husband”,’ a source tells Grazia. ‘They are a great couple: they laugh and swear and are so in tune with each other’s humour.’ Last month, Phoebe told Vogue that she is considering having children. ‘I think I would like to,’ she said. ‘I love hanging out with kids. You know, good ones.’
First of all, though, we’ll be seeing her walk the red carpet at next month’s Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards - she has just been nominated for Best Actress for Fleabag at both events. ‘She’s definitely the one to beat,’ says the insider. ‘The Emmy showed how loved she is in Hollywood. It would be a surprise if she didn’t take the Golden Globe, too.’
One thing is for sure: next year promises great things for a new national treasure.
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