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.
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.