Lynda La Plante
Biography
Lynda Joy La Plante, CBE (née Titchmarsh), was born on 15 March 1943 in Liverpool, England. She is an English author, screenwriter and former actress who is best known for creating and writing the police‑procedural television series Prime Suspect. In addition to her television work, she has been credited with writing for films such as Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years, Hlavní podezřelý: Cesta vzhůru and Inspektor Reagan. La Plante is also listed under the alternate name Lynda Marchal. Her professional record includes 58 known writing credits, reflecting a career that spans both screen and literary media.
Career overview
Lynda La Plante, CBE, was born on 15 March 1943 in Liverpool, England. An English author, screenwriter and former actress, she has built a career principally around writing for television and film. La Plante is best known for creating and writing the police‑procedural television series Prime Suspect, a crime drama that has become a defining work in her portfolio. According to a major film database, she is credited with 58 writing assignments across movies and TV shows, and she is also listed under the alternate name Lynda Marchal.
In addition to Prime Suspect, La Plante’s writing has been associated with several film projects, including Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years, the film version of Prime Suspect titled Cesta vzhůru (translated as Prime Suspect: The Rise), and the movie Inspector Reagan. These titles are cited as works that contributed to her public recognition as a writer. Throughout her career, La Plante has remained identified primarily for her contributions to screenwriting, with her body of work spanning both television series and feature films.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
90 titles- Widows (2018) Original Story
- Widows (2018) Original Series Creator
- Widows (2018) Series Writer
- Prime Suspect 1973 (2017) Novel
- Prime Suspect 1973 (2017) Creator
- Goodbye Granadaland (2013) as Self
- Prime Suspect (2011) Executive Producer
- Prime Suspect (2011) Creator
- Above Suspicion (2009) Novel
- Above Suspicion (2009) Executive Producer
- Above Suspicion (2009) Producer
- Above Suspicion (2009) Writer
- Above Suspicion (2009) Creator
- Imagine Me & You (2006) Executive Producer
- The Paul O'Grady Show (2004)
- The Commander (2003) Writer
- The Commander (2003) Producer
- The Commander (2003) Executive Producer
- The Commander (2003) Creator
- Widows (2002) Writer
- Widows (2002) Executive Producer
- Widows (2002) Creator
- Framed (2002) Writer
- Framed (2002) Executive Producer
- Mind Games (2001) Creator
- Mind Games (2001) Writer
- The Warden (2001) Writer
- Killer Net (1998) Writer
- Killer Net (1998) Creator
- Supply and Demand (1998) Producer
- Supply and Demand (1998) Writer
- Supply and Demand (1998) Creator
- Trial & Retribution (1997) Writer
- Trial & Retribution (1997) Producer
- Trial & Retribution (1997) Creator
- Bella Mafia (1997) Novel
- Bella Mafia (1997) Teleplay
- The Prosecutors (1996) Writer
- The Prosecutors (1996) Executive Producer
- An Audience with Freddie Starr (1996)
- She's Out (1995) Associate Producer
- She's Out (1995) Writer
- She's Out (1995) Creator
- The Governor (1995) Writer
- The Governor (1995) Creator
- The Lifeboat (1994) Executive Producer
- The Lifeboat (1994) Writer
- The Lifeboat (1994) Creator
- Comics (1993) Novel
- Comics (1993) Writer
- Comics (1993) Creator
- Seekers (1993) Creator
- Framed (1992) Writer
- Framed (1992) Creator
- Seconds Out (1992) Screenplay
- Civvies (1992) Writer
- Civvies (1992) Creator
- Prime Suspect (1991) Writer
- Prime Suspect (1991) Associate Producer
- Screen One (1989) Writer
- This Morning (1988) as Self
- Unnatural Causes (1986) Writer
- Hidden Talents (1986) Writer
- Widows (1983) Writer
- Widows (1983) Creator
- Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime (1983)
- High Road to China (1983) as Lina
- Educating Marmalade (1982) as Mrs Atkins
- The Draughtsman's Contract (1982) as Mrs Clement
- Bergerac (1981) as Lisa Reynolds
- Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981)
- The Gentle Touch (1980)
- Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (1980) as Mrs. Roberts
- Sheppey (1980) as Bessie Legros
- Coming Out (1979) as Cecilia Plasche (as Lynda Marchal)
- Out (1978) as Angela
- Send in the Girls (1978) as Vera
- The Professionals (1977) as Viv Copeland
- The Sunday Drama (1977) as Jenny Hiketier
- Rentaghost (1976)
- Beasts (1976) as Young Woman
- Beasts: Special Offer (1976) as Young Woman
- Our Young Mr. Wignall (1976) as Vera
- The Sweeney (1975) as Eve Fisher
- Play for Today (1970)
- The Doctors (1969) as Molly Dolan
- 1+1=1.5 (1969) as Miss. Harvey
- Z-Cars (1962) as Janey Hinden (as Lynda Marchal)
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Lena
- Above Suspicion 2: The Red Dahlia Creator
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Lynda La Plante best known for?
Lynda La Plante is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Widows (2018), Widows (2018), Widows (2018), Above Suspicion (2009).
When and where was Lynda La Plante born?
Lynda La Plante was born on March 15, 1943 in Liverpool, England, UK.
How many credits does Lynda La Plante have?
Lynda La Plante has accumulated over 90 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1956 to 2018.
What is Lynda La Plante's background in cinema and television?
Lynda Joy La Plante, CBE (née Titchmarsh), was born on 15 March 1943 in Liverpool, England. She is an English author, screenwriter and former actress who is best known for creating and writing the police‑procedural television series Prime Suspect. In addition to her television work, she has been credited with writing f...
Lynda La Plante by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Sweeney (1975) as Eve Fisher — aged about 32
- Out (1978) as Angela — aged about 35
- The Professionals (1977) as Viv Copeland — aged about 34
- Z-Cars (1962) as Janey Hinden (as Lynda Marchal) — aged about 19
- The Gentle Touch (1980) — aged about 37
- Beasts (1976) as Young Woman — aged about 33
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