Neil Cross

Neil Cross (born 2 September 1969) is a British novelist and scriptwriter, best known for being creator of the drama series Luther.

Cross was born in Bristol on 2 September 1969. His initial career was solely as a novelist, beginning with Mr In-Between, which was published in 1998 (and adapted into a film in 2001).

He later diversified into television, writing an episode of the BBC spy drama Spooks in 2006 before becoming lead writer on the sixth and seventh series of the show. He has also written for The Fixer and Doctor Who ("The Rings of Akhaten" and "Hide"). In 2010 he wrote a new adaptation of Whistle and I'll Come to You, from the story by M. R. James.

He has created two television series: BBC crime thriller Luther (for which he wrote all the episodes); and Crossbones, an action adventure pirate series for NBC (co-created with James V. Hart and Amanda Welles). Cross also co-wrote the screenplay for the 2013 film Mama.

He has continued to write novels, including Always the Sun, which was long-listed for the Booker Prize, Burial and Captured; and has written a memoir Heartland, which was short-listed for the PEN/Ackerley Prize for literary autobiography of excellence. His most recent novel, Luther: The Calling, was published in 2011.

In 2011, Cross was included in Variety magazine's list of 10 Screenwriters to Watch. Whilst working for companies in the UK and the US, he lives in Wellington, New Zealand, with his wife and two sons.

• Spooks (eight episodes, 2006–2008)
• The Fixer (one episode, 2008)
• Luther (2010–2015)
• Whistle and I'll Come to You (2010)
• Doctor Who (episodes "The Rings of Akhaten" and "Hide", 2013)
• Crossbones (2014)

• Mama (2013)
• Pacific Rim (uncredited script doctor, 2013)
• Escape From New York (2017) (remake)

Luther Series 1

• Winner, Luther, Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Teleplay in 2010 (Episode 1).
• Nominee, Luther, Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Teleplay in 2010 (Episode 4).
• Nominee, Luther, NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special

Luther Series 2

• Nominee, Neil Cross, Primetime Emmy Award 2012, Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
• Nominee, Luther, Primetime Emmy Award 2012, Outstanding Miniseries or Movie
• Winner, Luther, Creative Diversity Network, Radio Times Drama award 2011
• Winner, Luther, Royal Television Society, Best Drama Series 2011
• Nominee, Luther, Broadcast Television Journalists Association Critics' Choice Television Awards 2012, Best Movie/Miniseries

Luther Series 3

• Nominee, Neil Cross, Primetime Emmy Award 2014, Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
• Nominee, Luther, Primetime Emmy Award 2013, Outstanding Miniseries

Books

• Winner, Luther: The Calling, Ngaio Marsh Award, 2012
• Longlisted, Luther: The Calling, Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award 2012
• Finalist, Captured, Ngaio Marsh Award, New Zealand, 2011
• Finalist, Burial, Ngaio Marsh Award,(NZ) 2010
• Shortlisted, Heartland, PEN/Ackerley Prize for literary autobiography 2006
• Long-listed, Always the Sun, Man Booker Prize 2004