Freelance Scriptwriter – Narrative True Crime Podcast
About Message Heard
Message Heard is an award-winning UK-based podcast production company, working at the intersection of storytelling, journalism, and branded content. Our work spans partnerships with some of the world's leading broadcasters, publishers, and brands. From hard-hitting documentary series to innovative branded podcasts, we specialise in creating ambitious, high-quality audio that reaches global audiences and pushes the medium forward.
About the Project
We are producing a major new season of a globally recognised true crime podcast in partnership with a leading international broadcaster. This is a trailblazing documentary series, combining investigative journalism with narrative storytelling and pioneering new approaches to audio and visual podcasting.
This is a rare opportunity to contribute to one of the most exciting and forward-looking documentary podcast projects in the industry, reaching international audiences and helping define the next chapter of longform podcast storytelling.
The Role
We are looking for a freelance scriptwriter to transform detailed research packs and interview transcripts into compelling, broadcast-ready scripts. You will be central in shaping episodes that balance factual accuracy, narrative clarity, and emotional impact.z
The role is scoped clearly as writing: it does not involve producing, booking, or editing. Your focus will be delivering strong scripts, responding to feedback, and collaborating with the production and editorial teams.
Deliverables and Expectations
* Write one complete 25–30 minute narrative script per commissioned episode
* Complete two structured revision rounds (editorial and fact-check/legal), with one working day turnaround each
* Attend one remote table read per episode with editorial stakeholders
* Ensure scripts meet editorial, factual, and legal standards
* Deliver on agreed timelines aligned to production workflow
Essential Skills
* Demonstrable experience in scriptwriting for podcasts, audio, or broadcast journalism
* Strong narrative storytelling skills: building compelling arcs from factual material
* Confidence in working with transcripts, research packs, and editorial briefs
* Ability to collaborate effectively with producers, hosts, and fact-checkers
* Comfort engaging with challenging subject matter, including crime and investigative themes
Preferred Experience
* Credits on narrative or documentary podcasts
* Background in journalism, audio documentaries, or true crime storytelling
* Familiarity with global perspectives and cross-cultural narratives
* Experience writing for projects that incorporate visual or multimedia elements
Practical Details
* Contract: Freelance, per-episode commissioning
* Timeline: November 2025 to June 2026 (with seasonal break)
* Payment: Market rate per episode, inclusive of draft, two revisions, and table read
* Location: Remote, with preference for UK/EU time zones
Why Apply?
This role offers the chance to write for a pioneering global documentary series, working at the cutting edge of narrative podcasting with an internationally recognised broadcaster. It is an opportunity to produce work that will be heard by a worldwide audience and to help shape the future of true crime storytelling in audio.