Lynda La Plante

Writing

Lynda La Plante

Born March 15, 1943 · Liverpool, England, UK (age 83)

Lynda La Plante, CBE, is an English author, screenwriter and former actress, best known for writing the Prime Suspect television crime series.

Known For

WidowsWidows · 2018
Widows
6.52018
MovieDramaCrime
A police shootout leaves four thieves dead during an explosive armed robbery attempt in Chicago. Their widows have nothing in common except a debt left behind by their spouses' criminal activities. Hoping to forge a future on their own terms, they join forces to pull off a heist.
Imagine Me & YouImagine Me & You · 2006
Imagine Me & You
7.62006
MovieDramaComedy
During her wedding ceremony, Rachel notices Luce in the audience and feels instantly drawn to her. The two women become close friends, and when Rachel learns that Luce is a lesbian, she realizes that despite her happy marriage to Heck, she is falling for Luce. As she questions her sexual orientation, Rachel must decide between her stable relationship with Heck and her exhilarating new romance with Luce.
Mind GamesMind Games · 2001
Mind Games
6.32001
MovieCrimeDrama
A former nun turned criminal profiler is called in to investigate the horrific ritualistic murders of two middle aged women. Her unorthodox approach means that she has to deal not only with solving a murder but also winning the trust of her sceptical colleagues.
High Road to ChinaHigh Road to China · 1983
High Road to China
6.01983
MovieAdventureDrama
A biplane pilot is saddled with a spoiled industrialist's daughter on a search for her missing father through Asia that eventually involves them in a struggle against a Chinese warlord.
Beasts: Special OfferBeasts: Special Offer · 1976
Beasts: Special Offer
8.01976
MovieHorrorTV Movie
A misfit teenage checkout operator has an unrequited crush on her supermarket manager. At the same shop's cuddly cartoon mascot seems to have come alive and is causing havoc. Created as an episode of Nigel Kneale’s “Beasts” horror anthology miniseries.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans?Why Didn't They Ask Evans? · 1980
Why Didn't They Ask Evans?
6.71980
MovieThrillerTV Movie
This intriguing story is set in the 1930s at a country house, where two amateur sleuths, Bobby Jones and Lady Frankie Derwent, try to unravel the mystery behind a tale of murder, suspense and false identities. And the only clues the two have to go on are the puzzling last words of a dying man. Featuring characters created by Agatha Christie, Why Didn't They Ask Evans is a classic crime thriller sure to please murder-mystery fans.
FramedFramed · 2002
Framed
5.32002
MovieActionCrime
New York detective Mike Santini is enjoying a holiday with his family when he spots Eddie Meyers a fugitive from justice who might be the key witness in a high profile case involving money laundering. Santini plays a major role in capturing Meyers which prompts the wiley criminal to request Santini to be the interrogating officer. The two size each other up in the interrogation room in a thriller that provides a number of unexpected twists.
Bella MafiaBella Mafia · 1997
Bella Mafia
6.61997
MovieDramaCrime
Following the brutal murder of her husband and male kin, Sophia unites with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, in a fierce quest for vengeance against their enemies.

Movies

WidowsWidows · 2018
Widows
6.52018
MovieDramaCrime
A police shootout leaves four thieves dead during an explosive armed robbery attempt in Chicago. Their widows have nothing in common except a debt left behind by their spouses' criminal activities. Hoping to forge a future on their own terms, they join forces to pull off a heist.
Imagine Me & YouImagine Me & You · 2006
Imagine Me & You
7.62006
MovieDramaComedy
During her wedding ceremony, Rachel notices Luce in the audience and feels instantly drawn to her. The two women become close friends, and when Rachel learns that Luce is a lesbian, she realizes that despite her happy marriage to Heck, she is falling for Luce. As she questions her sexual orientation, Rachel must decide between her stable relationship with Heck and her exhilarating new romance with Luce.
Mind GamesMind Games · 2001
Mind Games
6.32001
MovieCrimeDrama
A former nun turned criminal profiler is called in to investigate the horrific ritualistic murders of two middle aged women. Her unorthodox approach means that she has to deal not only with solving a murder but also winning the trust of her sceptical colleagues.
High Road to ChinaHigh Road to China · 1983
High Road to China
6.01983
MovieAdventureDrama
A biplane pilot is saddled with a spoiled industrialist's daughter on a search for her missing father through Asia that eventually involves them in a struggle against a Chinese warlord.
Beasts: Special OfferBeasts: Special Offer · 1976
Beasts: Special Offer
8.01976
MovieHorrorTV Movie
A misfit teenage checkout operator has an unrequited crush on her supermarket manager. At the same shop's cuddly cartoon mascot seems to have come alive and is causing havoc. Created as an episode of Nigel Kneale’s “Beasts” horror anthology miniseries.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans?Why Didn't They Ask Evans? · 1980
Why Didn't They Ask Evans?
6.71980
MovieThrillerTV Movie
This intriguing story is set in the 1930s at a country house, where two amateur sleuths, Bobby Jones and Lady Frankie Derwent, try to unravel the mystery behind a tale of murder, suspense and false identities. And the only clues the two have to go on are the puzzling last words of a dying man. Featuring characters created by Agatha Christie, Why Didn't They Ask Evans is a classic crime thriller sure to please murder-mystery fans.
FramedFramed · 2002
Framed
5.32002
MovieActionCrime
New York detective Mike Santini is enjoying a holiday with his family when he spots Eddie Meyers a fugitive from justice who might be the key witness in a high profile case involving money laundering. Santini plays a major role in capturing Meyers which prompts the wiley criminal to request Santini to be the interrogating officer. The two size each other up in the interrogation room in a thriller that provides a number of unexpected twists.
Bella MafiaBella Mafia · 1997
Bella Mafia
6.61997
MovieDramaCrime
Following the brutal murder of her husband and male kin, Sophia unites with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, in a fierce quest for vengeance against their enemies.
1+1=1.51+1=1.5 · 1969
1+1=1.5
1969
MovieScience FictionTV Movie
The population of the United Kingdom at the beginning of the 21st Century is static, thanks to computerised population control, but the wife of the Population Officer becomes pregnant for the second time.
The Draughtsman's ContractThe Draughtsman's Contract · 1982
The Draughtsman's Contract
7.11982
MovieHistoryMystery
R. Neville, a brash young draftsman, is hired to make a dozen landscape illustrations at the estate of Mr Herbert and his wife Virginia. Aside from monetary compensation, the arrangement includes a sexual liaison offered to Neville by Virginia while her estranged husband is away. But when the murdered body of Mr Herbert is discovered at the estate, mysterious clues found in Neville's drawings point to the identity of the killer.
Seconds OutSeconds Out · 1992
Seconds Out
9.01992
MovieCrimeDrama
When boxer Murray Ritchie is framed for rape, he loses his chance of a long-awaited title fight. Released too late by the police, he blames Jack, his veteran trainer and manager, and goes over to rival promoter Tony Farrington. Needing the money, Murray is encouraged to turn to the rough and seedy unlicensed circuit for a fight that would see him banned from professional bouts.
The ProsecutorsThe Prosecutors · 1996
The Prosecutors
8.01996
MovieDramaTV Movie
Drama (and prospective pilot) about the lives of three women who work in the New York City DA's office: one a brilliant prosecutor of high-profile cases whose husband is shot and killed in an armed robbery; a second, her tough, bitter, chain-smoking, boozing, wheelchair-bound former mentor; a third, a Latina who is an ambitious legal intern.
The WardenThe Warden · 2001
The Warden
7.02001
MovieDramaTV Movie
Coming OutComing Out · 1979
Coming Out
5.01979
MovieDramaComedy
Lewis, a gay writer of romantic novels, writes an article on gay issues under the pseudonym of "Zippy Grimes." The reason for this is that he hasn't come out yet and he doesn't want to alienate his mainly female fan-base. The article is a great success and leads to a huge amount of reactions, mainly from other gay men who are leading a double life. He decides to meet a number of these letter writers and eventually is forced to come out.
Hidden TalentsHidden Talents · 1986
Hidden Talents
1986
MovieDramaTV Movie
Nellie (Pat Phoenix) is weak and bedridden in her aging, decrepit house due to a bad heart. Living out of her front room, Nellie is looked after by her son Harold (Tom Bell) who is going deaf and prone to eccentric and emotional outbursts following a motorbike accident some years previous. Relations are tense and fractious between Nellie and Harold, a state of affairs which isn't helped by Nellie's affectionate recollections of her estranged son Stanley (Tom Georgeson) who left many years before, taking with him Nellie's savings.
An Audience with Freddie StarrAn Audience with Freddie Starr · 1996
An Audience with Freddie Starr
6.01996
MovieComedy
A celebrity audience pays tribute to the inimitable Freddie Starr, one of Britain's zaniest comedians.

TV Shows

Play for TodayPlay for Today · 1970
Play for Today
6.61970
SeriesDrama
Play for Today is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC1 from 1970 to 1984. During the run, more than three hundred programmes, featuring original television plays, and adaptations of stage plays and novels, were transmitted. The individual episodes were between fifty and a hundred minutes in duration.
Z-CarsZ-Cars · 1962
Z-Cars
7.31962
SeriesDrama
Z-Cars or Z Cars is a British television drama series centred on the work of mobile uniformed police in the fictional town of Newtown, based on Kirkby, Merseyside. Produced by the BBC, it debuted in January 1962 and ran until September 1978.
BergeracBergerac · 1981
Bergerac
6.71981
SeriesDrama
Jim Bergerac is a detective sergeant in The Foreigners Office who likes to do things his own way. While dealing with his own personal demons Bergerac has a knack of finding trouble, and sometimes causing it.
The Paul O'Grady ShowThe Paul O'Grady Show · 2004
The Paul O'Grady Show
5.12004
SeriesComedy
The Paul O'Grady Show is a British comedy chat show hosted by Birkenhead-born comedian Paul O'Grady. The format was originally devised by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV before moving to Channel 4, where the show was produced by Olga TV. The programme is a teatime chat show consisting of a mixture of celebrity guests, comic stunts, musical performances, and occasionally viewer competitions.
The ProfessionalsThe Professionals · 1977
The Professionals
7.61977
SeriesCrime
The lives of Bodie and Doyle, top agents for Britain's CI5 (Criminal Intelligence 5), and their controller, George Cowley. The mandate of CI5 was to fight terrorism and similar high-profile crimes. Cowley, a hard ex-MI5 operative, hand-picked each of his men. Bodie is a cynical ex-SAS paratrooper and mercenary whose nature ran to controlled violence, while his partner, Doyle, comes to CI5 from the regular police force, and is more of an open minded liberal. Their relationship is often contentious, but they are the top men in their field, and the ones to whom Cowley always assigned to the toughest cases.
The SweeneyThe Sweeney · 1975
The Sweeney
8.01975
SeriesDrama
Jack Regan, an unethical officer of the Flying Squad, uses unorthodox methods to pursue criminals with the help of his partner, George Carter.
Prime SuspectPrime Suspect · 1991
Prime Suspect
7.81991
SeriesCrimeDrama
Highly skilled Detective Inspector Jane Tennison battles to prove herself in a male dominated world.
Trial & RetributionTrial & Retribution · 1997
Trial & Retribution
6.81997
SeriesCrimeDrama
Devised and written by Lynda La Plante as a follow-on from her successful television series Prime Suspect, this vast police procedural follows police detectives in England as they investigate crimes and the trials that come about as a result.
RentaghostRentaghost · 1976
Rentaghost
6.81976
SeriesFamilyComedy
Rentaghost was a British children's television comedy show, broadcast by the BBC between 6 January 1976 and 6 November 1984. The show's plot centred on the antics of a number of ghosts who worked for a firm called Rentaghost, which rented out the ghosts for various tasks.
Screen OneScreen One · 1989
Screen One
7.21989
SeriesDrama
Anthology drama series.
Above SuspicionAbove Suspicion · 2009
Above Suspicion
7.02009
SeriesMysteryCrime
Above Suspicion is a British crime drama programme starring Kelly Reilly as Anna Travis, a rookie detective determined to prove herself in the male-dominated police department by solving a trail of gruesome murders left by an unknown serial killer. Each series is based on a novel by Lynda La Plante: Above Suspicion (2009), The Red Dahlia (2010), Deadly Intent (2011), and Silent Scream (2012).
The Gentle TouchThe Gentle Touch · 1980
The Gentle Touch
7.21980
SeriesCrimeDrama
Notable as the first British series to feature a female police officer (predating Juliet Bravo by four months), Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes raises her teenage son while navigating a male-dominated police force following the murder of her police commissioner husband.
Killer NetKiller Net · 1998
Killer Net
5.61998
SeriesDramaCrime
Students get involved in a violent Internet-based game, around the same time as a series of murders - is there a connection?
Unnatural CausesUnnatural Causes · 1986
Unnatural Causes
6.31986
SeriesMysteryCrime
An anthology of seven psychological dramas, each with a different cast and crew, exploring deaths in unusual circumstances.
The CommanderThe Commander · 2003
The Commander
6.42003
SeriesDrama
Clare Blake, a high-ranking, ambitious officer in the Metropolitan Police's Serious Crimes Unit, leads complex murder investigations that often blur the line between her professional and personal lives.
Prime Suspect 1973Prime Suspect 1973 · 2017
Prime Suspect 1973
7.32017
SeriesCrimeDrama
Jane Tennison is a probationary WPC in 1973 London, where she faces sexism while working her first murder case. Follow her early career, her relationship with her boss DI Len Bradfield, and her determination to prove herself in a male-dominated police force, as she will eventually achieve the rank of Detective Superintendent.
Prime SuspectPrime Suspect · 2011
Prime Suspect
6.32011
SeriesDrama
Detective Jane Timoney finds that being a homicide detective in New York City is tough enough and having to contend with a male-dominated police department to get respect makes it that much tougher. She's an outsider who has just transferred to a new precinct dominated by an impenetrable clique of a boys' club. Timoney has her own vices too – with a questionable past – and she tends to be forceful, rude and reckless. But she's also a brilliant cop who keeps her eye on one thing: the prime suspect.
Agatha Christie's Partners in CrimeAgatha Christie's Partners in Crime · 1983
Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime
6.41983
SeriesMysteryComedy
Spirited dialogue, posh Roaring '20s style, and devious mysteries abound as Tommy and Tuppence Beresford mix marriage and mystery solving.
WidowsWidows · 1983
Widows
7.41983
SeriesCrimeDrama
Armed robbers Harry, Terry, and Joe die when the security van that they're robbing catches fire in the Kingsway Tunnel in London. Their widows–Dolly, Shirley, and Linda–find their husbands' schematics and decide to stage it themselves.
BeastsBeasts · 1976
Beasts
7.01976
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyDrama
Beasts is a series of six television plays by Manx writer Nigel Kneale, unconnected save for a bestial horror theme, made by ATV for ITV in the United Kingdom and broadcast in 1976. The series avoids typical monster horror clichès, moreso focusing on psychological and supernatural themes.
This MorningThis Morning · 1988
This Morning
5.21988
Series
This Morning features a variety of news, as well as show business, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home and garden, food, tech, live phone-ins, and competitions.
The GovernorThe Governor · 1995
The Governor
7.51995
SeriesCrimeDrama
Maximum security prison Barfield has recently nearly been destroyed by a riot. Helen Hewitt, the first woman put in charge of the prison, is determined to clean up the place despite being greeted with open hostility.
OutOut · 1978
Out
7.81978
SeriesDramaCrime
Frank Ross returns from an eight-year prison sentence for a robbery that was thwarted because somebody 'grassed' the gang. Nobody knows who put the finger on him, but Ross is determined to find out and seeks revenge on those who betrayed him. Little by little, Ross pieces together the trail that leads to a dramatic conclusion.
CivviesCivvies · 1992
Civvies
8.21992
SeriesDrama
Former soldiers in Britain's elite Parachute Regiment struggle to come to terms with civilian life after leaving the army.