Overview

• Her children, Felix and Emily, said her death was an unexpected shock and called her “the shining light” in their lives.
• She died Sunday morning following a fall at home, according to the family and her representatives.
• Tributes from agent Felicity Blunt and partners on the Disney+ Rivals adaptation praised her influence and on-set contributions as an executive producer.
• The bestselling creator of the Rutshire Chronicles rose from journalism to popular fiction and received an OBE in 2004, a CBE in 2018 and a damehood in 2024.
• Happy Prince and Disney+ figures paid tribute, with a second series of Rivals reported to be in production for a planned 2026 release.