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
I write two weekly Substacks - Forgive Us We’re Canadian - about politics and other stuff and Skaana - One Ocean - where I write about the ocean and the animals who live there).
I’m a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail and The Times Colonist (where I write about Canadian politics) and CFAX radio (where I talk about life in the ocean. And I host the Skaana podcast.
Playing Shylock, a new take on my play, which has had hit runs in Toronto and off-Broadway starring iconic actor Saul Rubinek and directed by Martin Kinch, is being published by Scirocco in July.
Other upcoming work… a new kids play for Vancouver’s Green Thumb Theatre about endangered species… and a new theatrical experience about whales and life in the oceans for Boca del Lupo. Play never quite seems right, or enough, to describe almost anything Boca does.
My 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.
My plays have been produced throughout North America and also staged in Europe and Australia. The original Shylock has been translated into French, Czech and Dutch. And is currently being translated into Italian!
Shylock and Articles of Faith are published by Anvil Press.
Features
I’ve written all sorts of features including dramas, comedies, thrillers and a Christmas movie. I 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. I’m currently in post-production on my 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. My first feature, The Green Chain, which I 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. I’m currently working on a script for a new Christmas movie. Ho ho ho…
TV
I’ve 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.
I’m currently in development hell on several different projects - including a sitcom I’m developing with my wife, Rayne Benu, for Middle Child.
Screenwriter
I’ve published over a dozen books. I’m 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 my dreams is to win both prizes for the same book. I’ve won multiple awards for his non-fiction books for young readers.
Greener Than Thou, Octopus Ocean. Never Shoot a Stampede Queen, The Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Sharks Forever (which features an introduction by legendary eco-outlaw Captain Paul Watson) are all available on audible.com and wherever audiobooks are sold - narrated by the author.
My latest for young readers - One Ocean - focuses on how to protect the oceans and the animals who live there. Also… writing my first novel.
Author
Second edition on-sale now
I’ve 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
Here’s what I’m up to now. Since Octopus Ocean just went into its third printing, I’ll stick to 8…
Spreading the word about my three new books - One Ocean, Playing Shylock and Greener Than Thou - Surviving the Toxic Sludge of Canadian Eco-politics
Writing about the Canadian political scene (and more) on Forgive Us, We’re Canadian on Substack.
Substacking about all things ocean for Skaana.
Developing a new play about endangered species for Vancouver’s Green Thumb Theatre.
Working on my next books for younger readers about the toughest marine mammal on ice, polar bears (2027).
Teaching classes in storytelling built around the Marvel Universe, the DC Universe and the world of Pixar. And an introduction to Fine Arts at the University of Victoria.
Epic interviews with ocean experts for Skaana.
Editing the documentary - The Killer Whale Who Changed the World.
Next
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Playing Shylock
July 6th
Playing Shylock published by Scirocco.
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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One Ocean
About seventy percent of our planet is ocean, and over 250,000 species call it home.
In One Ocean, learn about practical ways to keep the ocean clean, the effects of the climate crisis, how to get political in your community and how small actions can have a big impact. Meet young activists and discover what inspires them. Come away with actionable steps to take because protecting the ocean is up to us. And, since all oceans connect, there is really only one ocean for all. le now (just released)
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Greener Than Thou
Available now!
“A hilarious romp through the past, present, and future of Green politics in Canada.”
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Sept 2026 - April 2027
Teaching Writing courses at UVic. My courses this Fall - intro to writing and storytelling classes built around the Marvel universe, the DC Universe, the world of Pixar and intro to Fine Arts.