As The Independent’s US Lifestyle & Culture News Editor, Tom Murray oversees coverage at the intersection of entertainment and societal trends. With bases in both New York and London, his work bridges transatlantic cultural conversations.
"True cultural insight comes from understanding how yesterday’s taboos become tomorrow’s mainstream." - From Murray’s 2024 essay on censorship in streaming
We’ve followed Tom Murray’s ascent from his early days as editor of The Tab Nottingham during his history studies at the University of Nottingham to his current position shaping cultural coverage at one of the world’s most respected news organizations. His career demonstrates a consistent focus on making complex cultural narratives accessible to broad audiences.
Murray’s 2023 deep dive into the making of Jordan Peele’s Nope demonstrated his unique ability to blend entertainment reporting with cultural analysis. Through exclusive interviews with supporting actor Brandon Perea, the piece revealed how Peele’s directorial approach combines meticulous planning with actor-driven improvisation. Murray’s profile went beyond standard film journalism to examine how modern horror reflects societal anxieties about surveillance and spectacle culture.
"Peele doesn’t just want to scare you - he wants to make you complicit in the horror," Murray writes, capturing the director’s thematic ambitions.
This 2024 Business Insider retrospective showcased Murray’s talent for visual storytelling. By curating 76 photographs spanning Charles’ lifetime, the article analyzed the evolution of royal iconography in the digital age. Murray’s commentary revealed how the monarchy’s visual strategy shifted from formal portraiture to calculated casualness, reflecting changing public expectations of transparency.
Murray’s 2025 theater critique of Beetlejuice: The Musical demonstrated his ability to find substantive cultural commentary in unlikely places. By focusing on the show’s exploration of maternal relationships, he connected Broadway trends to broader societal reevaluations of parenting roles. The piece balanced witty observations about stagecraft with serious analysis of generational trauma themes.
Murray consistently elevates stories that exist at the intersection of entertainment and social change. His coverage of Beetlejuice’s mother-daughter dynamics [3] demonstrates particular interest in how pop culture reframes traditional relationships. Successful pitches should identify similar nexus points - for instance, how streaming platforms are reshaping regional theater traditions.
With his academic background in history [1], Murray brings historical awareness to contemporary trends. Note how his royal family coverage [2] traces visual branding strategies across decades. Pitches comparing current entertainment phenomena to historical precedents (e.g., TikTok vs. Vaudeville storytelling techniques) align well with this approach.
While Murray covers celebrities, his work avoids tabloid-style reporting. The Jordan Peele profile [1] exemplifies his preference for stories about artistic craft. Pitches should emphasize behind-the-scenes creative decisions rather than personal drama - e.g., how costume designers incorporate sustainability practices into period films.
Murray’s photo-driven royal retrospective [2] proves the value of strong visual components. Pitches incorporating archival comparisons, infographics about entertainment industry trends, or before/after transformations in celebrity styling have higher success potential.
As a British journalist working in America [1][4], Murray often examines cultural exchanges between the two nations. Stories exploring how UK formats adapt for US audiences (e.g., reality show remakes, West End/Broadway crossovers) align with this ongoing interest.
Tom Murray speaks to the ‘Nope’ scene-stealer about his past career as a professional breakdancer and being Jordan Peele’s Leonardo DiCaprio
King Charles III is celebrating his 76th birthday today. Here's the best photo from every year of his royal career.
Beetlejuice the Musical is really about moms
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Entertainment, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
