Hi, I’m Mark.
“Mark Leiren-Young, who has a background in pretty much everything — journalism, television, comedy, theatre and film — is without a doubt one of the most talented, multi-disciplinary voices in Canada.” – National Post
“Mark Leiren-Young is a playwright, author, screenwriter, novelist, journalist, editor, podcaster, producer, director, documentarian, comedy performer, satirist, memoirist, university lecturer, occasional actor and full-time environmentalist.” -David Lennam, Yam Magazine.
“A weird little guy.” - William Shatner
Playwright
Playing Shylock, a new take on Mark’s play, Shylock, starts previews October 26th, 2024 at Canadian Stage in Toronto. Tickets available here. If you haven’t checked out the picture yet it stars iconic actor Saul Rubinek and is directed by Martin Kinch.
Other upcoming work… a new kids play for Vancouver’s Green Thumb Theatre about endangered species… and a new theatrical experience about Moby Dick and life in the oceans for Boca del Lupo. Play never quite seems right or enough to describe almost anything this company does.
His play, Bar Mitzvah Boy, won the 2017 American Jewish Playwriting Prize, has had multiple productions in Canada and the US, is published by Playwrights Canada Press and was long-listed for the Leacock Medal for Humour.
His plays have been produced throughout North America and also staged in Europe and Australia. Shylock has been translated into French, Czech and Dutch.
Shylock and Articles of Faith are published by Anvil Press.
Features
Mark has written a variety of features including dramas, comedies, thrillers and a Christmas movie. He directed and wrote The Hundred-Year-Old Whale a documentary about the matriarch of the southern resident orcas that won the 2018 Writers Guild of Canada Award for Documentary. Mark’s currently in post-production on his first feature-length documentary, The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – a look at the past, present and future of the endangered southern resident orcas. Mark’s first feature, The Green Chain, which he wrote, directed and produced earned multiple awards and was a finalist for “Best Screenplay” from the Writer’s Guild of Canada and starred Tricia Helfer, Brendan Fletcher and August Schellenberg. He’s currently working on a script for a new Christmas movie. Ho ho ho…
TV
Mark has written about 100 hours of produced television in multiple mediums - including drama, comedy, variety, animation, documentary and the 2019 MOW thriller (The Perfect Match).
Favourite credits include writing and co-starring in the EarthVision award-winning TV special Greenpieces: The World’s First Eco-Comedy, featuring his comedy duo Local Anxiety. Being part of the team that developed a TV series for one of his favourite comicbook characters - Moon Knight - and writing a script featuring debuting Stained Glass Scarlet (if you know Moon Knight you’ll get how cool that is. And his TV debut - The X-File parody episode of ReBoot that featured Gillian Anderson as Data Nully and one of his oldest friends, Scott McNeil as Fax Modem.
He’s currently in development on several different projects including a sitcom he’s developing with his wife, Rayne Benu, for Middle Child.
Screenwriter
Mark has published over a dozen books. He’s the only writer who has won the Leacock Medal for Humour (Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) AND the Science Writers and Communicators Award as Canada’s best science book (The Killer Whale Who Changed the World). One of his dreams as an author is to win both for the same book. He’s also won multiple awards for his non-fiction books for young readers.
The three books featured below are all available on audible.com and wherever audiobooks are sold - narrated by the author.
His latest book, Sharks Forever, is a non-fiction book for middle-school readers and features an introduction by legendary eco-outlaw Captain Paul Watson. His next book, Octopus Oceans, is being released in early 2025. And he’s currently working on a new book for young readers focusing on how to protect the oceans and the animals who live there. Also… his first novel.
Author
Available Feb. 11, 2025
Mark has hosted the Skaana podcast interviewing scientists, environmentalists, filmmakers, authors, politicians and young eco-heroes about oceans, eco-ethics & the environment since 2017 when he launched with an interview with eco-icon Dr. David Suzuki. Guests have included Wade Davis, Frans de Waal, Carl Safina, Dr. Lori Marino, Captain Paul Watson, Canadian Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, Melody Horrill, Ta’Kaiya Blaney, Alexandra Morton and Daniel Pauly.
Podcaster: Skaana
Stay in Touch
Now
Derek Sivers suggested that every site should have a Now page to cover “where I’m at, what I’m focused on, and what I’m not.” So here’s what I’m up to now. Since Octopus are the stars of my newest book (due our Spring, 2025) I’ll stick to 8…
Playing Shylock - now playing at CanStage!
Writing a new book about how to protect the oceans and the animals who live there. For younger readers. For Orca (due out Spring, 2026)
Teaching classes in humour/comedy writing; storytelling built around the Marvel Universe; story-telling built around the Pixar Universe and introduction to Fine Arts at the University of Victoria.
Developing a new play about endangered species for Vancouver’s Green Thumb Theatre.
Epic interviews for Skaana - including a few focusing on why America needs to vote Harris/Walz in November.
Developing a new play about Moby Dick and life in the oceans for Boca Del Lupo.
Editing the documentary - The Killer Whale Who Changed the World.
Rehab for my leg. Lots of rehab. You can check out the scoop on my leg here.
Next
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Playing Shylock
Oct 26 - Nov - 27
Saul Rubinek's triumphant return to the stage
A production of The Merchant of Venice is cancelled mid-performance after public outcries about the play. The actor playing Shylock delivers a candid and passionate appeal about identity, public discourse, and the theatre.
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Octopus Ocean
Feb 11, 2025
Official publication date.
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October 9
60th anniversary of the death of Moby Doll.
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Now...
Teaching Writing courses at UVic starts. My courses this fall (2024) - intro to writing and storytelling built around the Marvel universe; intro to writing and storytelling built around the Pixar universe; humour writing and intro to Fine Arts.