Nigel McCrery, Creator of 'Silent Witness' and 'New Tricks,' Dies at 71

The former Nottinghamshire police officer turned screenwriter leaves behind a legacy of acclaimed TV dramas and historical non-fiction works.

Nigel McCrery, creator of long-running BBC dramas 'Silent Witness' and 'New Tricks,' has passed away at the age of 71, as confirmed by his agent.
McCrery, who revealed a terminal illness diagnosis in October 2024, was a former police officer whose career inspired his crime and forensic-focused storytelling.
'Silent Witness,' which debuted in 1996, recently aired its 28th season and remains one of the BBC's most enduring dramas.
In addition to his television work, McCrery authored books on sports and military history, including 'The Footballers Who Fought and Died in the Great War' and 'Season in Hell.'
His 1999 book 'The Vanished Battalion' was adapted into the war drama 'All the King’s Men,' starring Dame Maggie Smith and Sir David Jason.