Nigel McCrery, the creator of popular TV crime dramas such as Silent Witness and New Tricks, has passed away at the age of 71. He was diagnosed with a terminal illness in October 2024. His agent shared a tribute on social media, confirming his death and expressing sorrow over the loss. United Agents stated, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of screenwriter, author, and producer Nigel McCrery. As the creative force behind beloved series like Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for many years. His significant contributions to the arts will always be remembered. He had an extraordinary career and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Silent Witness, which has been running for 28 series and continues to air, follows a team of forensic pathologists as they investigate crimes, making it one of the BBC’s longest-running dramas. New Tricks, which featured a group of retired detectives solving cold cases, aired for over a decade across 12 series.
McCrery began his career as a police officer in the Nottinghamshire Constabulary murder squad, where he developed an interest in forensic science. After a decade, he left the force to study at Cambridge University and subsequently joined the BBC, where he wrote his first TV series, Backup, in 1995. Silent Witness premiered in 1996, initially starring Amanda Burton before Emilia Fox took over the lead role in the eighth series. A 29th series is anticipated to follow the one that aired earlier this year.
New Tricks, which starred Dennis Waterman throughout its run, debuted in 2003 and concluded in 2015. McCrery also wrote All The King’s Men, a First World War drama featuring David Jason, the medical drama Born And Bred, and Impact, which focused on air accident investigators, all of which were broadcast on the BBC. Additionally, he authored several novels and a play.
