Peter Straughan is an English screenwriter known for his work on acclaimed films and television programmes. He was born on 2 February 1968 in London, England.

Straughan began his career as a playwright and theatre director before turning to screenwriting. In the early 2000s, he collaborated with his wife, Bridget O'Connor, on several projects. They co-wrote the screenplay for the British comedy-drama film Sixty Six (2006), which was loosely based on Straughan's own childhood experiences. The film received positive reviews and earned him and O'Connor a British Independent Film Award nomination for Best Screenplay.

One of Straughan's most notable works is the screenplay for the film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), directed by Tomas Alfredson. Adapted from John le Carré's novel of the same name, the film featured Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Tom Hardy. Straughan's adaptation was highly praised for its faithfulness to the source material and its atmospheric depiction of Cold War espionage. This earned him and his late wife, Bridget O'Connor, an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Straughan continued to work on high-profile projects, including the adaptation of Jon Ronson's book The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009), starring George Clooney and Jeff Bridges. He also co-wrote the script for the dark comedy-drama Frank (2014), directed by Lenny Abrahamson and starring Michael Fassbender and Domhnall Gleeson.

In recent years, Straughan worked on the screenplay for the fantasy film Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016), directed by Tim Burton. He also adapted Donna Tartt's novel The Goldfinch (2019) into a film directed by John Crowley.

Peter Straughan is known for his ability to adapt complex literary works into engaging screenplays. His work is characterised by solid character development, intelligent storytelling and an ability to capture the essence of the source material. Despite the tragic loss of his wife, Bridget O'Connor, in 2010, Straughan has continued to contribute to the world of screenwriting with his talent and dedication.