Biography
Lynda La Plante is an English author, screenwriter and former actress. Born Lynda Titchmarsh on 15 March 1943 in the Liverpool area, she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began her career on stage and screen under the name Lynda Marchal. She appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in television series including Z-Cars, The Sweeney and Rentaghost.
She turned to writing in the 1970s. Her breakthrough came with the 1983 ITV series Widows, followed by the creation of Prime Suspect (1991) starring Helen Mirren. She has written numerous novels and television series including Trial & Retribution. La Plante received BAFTA awards for Prime Suspect, Emmys, an Edgar Award and the Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger in 2024; she was appointed CBE in 2008.
