Silent Witness creator Nigel McCrery dies aged 71

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Silent Witness creator Nigel McCrery dies aged 71

Lizo Mzimba

Culture correspondent

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Nigel McCrery created TV dramas Silent Witness and New Tricks

Nigel McCrery, the creator of the TV crime dramas Silent Witness and New Tricks, has died aged 71.

His agent confirmed the news of his death to BBC News “with a heavy heart”.

The screenwriter and novelist was diagnosed with a terminal illness in October 2024.

Silent Witness, which follows a team of forensic pathologists investigating crimes, is one of the BBC’s longest running dramas. New Tricks, about a group of retired detectives helping police with cold cases, ran for 12 series over more than a decade.

His agent told BBC News: ‘It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery’s passing.

“As the creative mind behind such hits as the much loved long running BBC drama series Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for years with his work. 

“His numerous contributions to the arts will always be remembered. Nigel had an incredible career and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Police officer

Nigel McCrery served as a police officer with the ******* squad in Nottingham before he began his TV career.

After leaving Nottinghamshire Police, he joined the BBC on a graduate entry scheme in 1990, and soon moved into the drama department.

He used his background in policing to create Backup, a drama about a police operational support unit. It ran between 1995 and 1997.

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BBC/David Emery

Silent Witness has run for 28 series

He then went on to create the drama Silent Witness in 1996.

It follows forensic pathologists and scientists investigating crimes and trying to catch the people responsible.

Initially starring Amanda Burton and then Emilia Fox, it became one of the BBC’s most enduring dramas. Its 28th series was broadcast earlier this year.

McCrery created New Tricks in 2005.

The show, which focused on three retired police officers who were drafted in to help solve cold cases, and became a starring vehicle for Dennis Waterman, ran for 10 years.

He also wrote several novels as well as a number of non-fiction books.

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