Lynda La Plante and James Lee Burke share Diamond Dagger lifetime award
After hotly contested judging, the Crime Writers’ Association presents prestigious honour to two writers with ‘incredible bodies of work’
September 2023
Brief letters
An epic endeavour few could manage
The books of my life
Lynda La Plante: ‘Raymond Chandler’s books make me laugh out loud’
August 2022
The real Jane Tennison reveals ugly truth behind TV police drama Prime Suspect
Retired detective Jackie Malton helped writer Lynda La Plante nail her characters. She talks about the misogyny and homophobia she endured in her early years
July 2020
John Benfield obituary
Actor whose many hard man roles included being a firm but fair boss to Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect
May 2020
Lockdown reading
From Harry Potter at Home to the National Shelf Service: bookish fun for the lockdown
An updating list of online treats for bibliophiles of all ages, including Hogwarts quizzes, Simon Armitage and a star-packed reading of James and the Giant Peach
December 2019
Barrie Keeffe obituary
Playwright and screenwriter best known for the 1980 film classic The Long Good Friday
March 2019
Screen queens: the funny, fearless women who revolutionised TV
Phoebe Waller-Bridge exploded into our living rooms with Fleabag, her vicious comedy about an angry, awkward woman. As it returns, Guardian writers pick their TV heroines
November 2018
Mark Kermode's film of the week
Widows review – Steve McQueen delivers an outstanding heist thriller
Widows: the big-haired 80s caper that inspired Steve McQueen
September 2018
First look review
Widows review – Steve McQueen dazzles with masterful thriller
The 12 Years a Slave Oscar-winner turns an 80s Lynda La Plante miniseries into a muscular, ferociously entertaining crowd-pleaser packed with superb performances
August 2018
Marilyn Johnson obituary
Casting director with an eye for new talent who worked on Cracker, The Sweeney and A Touch of Frost
September 2017
My family values
Lynda La Plante: ‘Did you write Prime Suspect? asked my mother – three series in’
The screenwriter and novelist talks about growing up on Merseyside with a sports-mad father, mother and grandmother, and adopting her son Lorcan at 57
February 2017
Prime Suspect goes back to the beginning with a new Jane Tennison
Stepping into Helen Mirren’s shoes was the hardest part, says actress
June 2015
TV and radio blog
Prime suspects: would you cast Emilia Clarke or Emma Watson as DI Tennison?
ITV has announced plans for Tennison, a Prime Suspect prequel from writer Lynda La Plante that will follow the young Jane Tennison in Hackney in the 1970s. But who should be the star?
May 2015
TV and radio blog
Recall the cops: six of TV's best British women police officers
With Paul Abbott’s arresting new drama No Offence starting tonight, what better time to remember the cops who walked the TV beat before Joanna Scanlan and Alexandra Roach?
April 2015
Mass redistribution of words: World Book Night prepares for UK-wide book giveaway
Over 7,000 people have volunteered to donate one of a shortlist of 20 books to the 35% of the population who are not regular readers
October 2014
Lynda Bellingham obituary
Star with a wide-ranging TV and stage career, best remembered as the ‘Oxo mum’ in a long-running TV ad
July 2014
Theakstons Old Peculier crime novel of the year taken by Belinda Bauer
Rubbernecker described by judges of the £3,000 prize as an 'utterly absorbing and brilliantly realised novel … a really special book
February 2014
Lynda La Plante writing Prime Suspect prequel
Writer to adapt her new novel, called Tennison, for TV in 2016, the 25th anniversary of the hit ITV drama starring Helen Mirren. By John Plunkett
