Stephen S. Thompson, writer of BAFTA-winning single drama Sitting In Limbo, has died at the age of 56.
A highly acclaimed novelist of Jamaican descent, Thompson’s first novel Toy Soldiers was published in 2000 and he went on to write three further novels, including Missing Joe in 2012 and No More Heroes in 2016.
Stephen wrote the powerful feature-length drama Sitting In Limbo in response to his brother Anthony Bryan’s fight against deportation amidst the Windrush scandal. The film was broadcast on BBC1 in June 2020, directed by Stella Corradi and starring Patrick Robinson, and won the BAFTA for Best Single Drama. The Independent called it “…a gripping, upsetting and tenderly told dramatic memoir of one man’s ordeal during the Windrush scandal. Its timing could not have been better.”
Thompson had written for The Observer, The Voice, Wasafiri, Five Dials and Arena Magazine amongst others, and was the editor and publisher of the online literary journal The Colverstone Review. He lectured in Creative Writing at Winchester University, Birkbeck College and the University of Edinburgh, and taught screenwriting at Central Film School in London.
His family said: Stephen passed away on Thursday 26th May after a short battle with cancer. He fought hard to beat the odds after being diagnosed just a month earlier, but, ultimately, spent his last few weeks at home, as was his wish, receiving end of life care. Throughout this time, Stephen showed a characteristic determination to live. In the end, however, the rapid progression of the cancer meant his body was unable to match the power of his indomitable mind, and he passed away peacefully surrounded by love. His family, friends and partner are heartbroken at his passing but so incredibly proud of all he achieved, both personally and professionally, during his all too short life.
Jon Creamer
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