Lynda La Plante was born in Liverpool, and trained for the stage at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Work with the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company led to a career as a television actress with regular roles in dramas such as Fox, Minder and The Sweeney.
La Plante began writing at a young age, but it was while she was filming The Gentle Touch that she wrote four plot outlines and sent them to the show’s producers. They were all returned as unsuitable, but on one of her ideas someone had written ‘this is wonderful!’ That was all the encouragement La Plante needed, and that brief synopsis eventually became the phenomenally successful TV series Widows, nominated for a BAFTA award in 1982.
La Plante’s original scripts for the much acclaimed Prime Suspect series, starring Helen Mirren, garnered many prizes including six British Academy Awards (BAFTA), the British Broadcasting Award, the Royal Television Society Writer’s Award, the Edgar Allen Poe Writer’s Award and an EMMY for “Best Mini Series”. Numerous other screen credits include Civvies, Comics, Seconds Out, Framed and She’s Out.
Lynda’s own production company, La Plante Productions, was established in 1994 to maintain creative control over her work. Productions to date include two series of The Governor (1 x 2 hour film, followed by 11 x 1 hour episodes), a two hour television film and subsequent series of Supply and Demand (4 x 2 hours) all commissioned and broadcast by the ITV Network. La Plante Productions also produced Killer Net, a four hour cyberspace thriller, which was broadcast on Channel 4 Television in 1998. Mind Games, a two hour pilot drama was broadcast across the ITV Network in January 2001.
With eight series of Trial and Retribution (7 x 4 hours and 1 x 3 hour), November 2005 saw the airing of Trial & Retribution IX: The Lover on ITV1. Achieving impressive ratings, it is followed by the latest edition from the Trial & Retribution series; Trial & Retribution X: Sins of the Father, in autumn 2006. January 2006 saw La Plante secure a commission to produce a further four 2 x 90min editions of Trial & Retribution for ITV1. Trial & Retribution XI-XIV will be produced in 2006.
The brand new drama; The Commander, starring Amanda Burton in the title role, was transmitted on ITV1 in February 2003 and, following its success ITV commissioned a series (2 x 3 hours), which was broadcast in February 2005. Commander Blake returned to our screens in March 2006 in The Commander III: Blacklight and a fourth appearance is scheduled to begin filming in early 2007 where we will see the Commander in three new stories.
La Plante won the 1997 Liverpool Echo Arts Award for best television writer for Trial and Retribution and the series was also nominated for an Indie and a Royal Television Society Award.
In America, La Plante co-wrote and produced The Prosecutors with Tom Fontana (Oz) for NBC. In 1998 The Konigsberg Company produced Bella Mafia, a four-hour mini series for CBS which Lynda adapted from her novel of the same name. La Plante has also co-produced with ABC her adaptation of Widows, produced Cold Shoulder as a pilot for New Regency/CBS and The Warden, a two hour pilot for TNT, which is a changed format of her highly successful series The Governor. La Plante executive produced Daniel Petrie Jnr’s adaptation of her show Framed, which aired on TNT and starred Sam Neill and Rob Lowe.
In addition to La Plante Productions, Lynda set up a new film company, Cougar Films, with producer Sophie Balhetchet. Cougar has recently completed production on its first feature; Imagine Me & You, which has been receiving rave reviews in the US and Australia. It will be released domestically in the UK by Universal in March 2006. Cougar also has a large slate of other projects in development.
La Plante awarded a creative writing scholarship to John Moores University, in her hometown of Liverpool and is an honorary member of the British Film Institute. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has also awarded Lynda with the Dennis Potter Writers Award.
CURRICULUM VITAE
UK TELEVISION
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION - Mirror Image (XIV)
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Christopher Hall
Directed by: Michael Whyte
Starring: David Hayman & Victoria Smurfit, Dorian Lough, Gemma Jones and Fiona Shaw
Filming 2006
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION - Curriculum Vitae (XII)
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Christopher Hall
Directed by: Tristram Powell
Starring: David Hayman & Victoria Smurfit, Dorian Lough and Victoria Hamilton
Filming 2006
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION - Paradise Lost (XII)
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Christopher Hall
Directed by: Alex Pillai
Starring: David Hayman & Victoria Smurfit, Dorian Lough, Adrian Lukis and Clint Dyer
Filming 2006
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION - Closure (XI)
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Christopher Hall
Directed by: Edward Hall
Starring: David Hayman & Victoria Smurfit, Dorian Lough and Michael Brandon
Filming 2006
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION - SINS OF THE FATHER (X)
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Christopher Hall
Director: Andy Hay
Starring: David Hayman & Victoria Smurfit, Greg Wise and Glynis Barber
2006
THE COMMANDER III - Blacklight
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written by: Lynda La Plante
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Christopher Hall
Director: Tristram Powell
Starring: Amanda Burton with: Matthew Marsh, Nickolas Grace and Yorick Van Wageningen
2006
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION - THE LOVERS (IX)
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written by: Lynda La Plante
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Christopher Hall
Director: Tristram Powell
Starring: David Hayman & Victoria Smurfit, Michael Feast and introducing Miriam Heard
2005
THE COMMANDER II - Blackdog
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written by: Lynda La Plante
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Peter McAleese
Director: Charles Beeson
Starring: Amanda Burton
2004
THE COMMANDER II - Virus
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written by: Lynda La Plante
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Peter McAleese
Director: Charles Beeson
Starring: Amanda Burton
2004
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION - BLUE EIDERDOWN (VIII)
2 x 90 minute mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written by: Lynda La Plante
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Chris Clough
Director: Paul Unwin
Starring: David Hayman, Victoria Smurfit, Colin Salmon and Frances Barber
2004
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION - SUSPICION (VII)
2 x 2 hour mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written by: Lynda La Plante
Produced by: Lynda La Plante and Peter McAleese
Director: Charles Beeson
Starring: David Hayman, Victoria Smurfit, and Charles Dance
2003
THE COMMANDER
2 x 90 minute series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Production by: Lynda La Plante
Director: Michael Whyte
Starring: Amanda Burton, Matthew Marsh, Hugh Bonneville, David Calder, Poppy Miller and Tristan Gemmill
2002
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION VI
2 x 2 hour mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Director: Ferdinand Fairfax
Starring: David Hayman, Kate Buffery, Corin Redgrave, James Fox, Tim McInnerny and Con O’Neill.
2002
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION V
2 x 2 hour mini-series
A La Plante Production directlycommissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Director: Aisling Walsh
Starring: David Hayman, Kate Buffery, Liz Smith, Maggie McCarthy and Simon Callow
2001
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION IV
2 x 2 hour mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Director: Michael Whyte
Starring: David Hayman, Kate Buffery, James Wilby and Corin Redgrave
2000
MIND GAMES
1 x 2 hour film for television
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Director: Richard Standeven
Starring: Fiona Shaw, Colin Salmon
2000
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION III
2 x 2 hour mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Director: Jo Johnson
Starring: David Hayman, Kate Buffery, Simon Callow and Richard E. Grant
1999
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION II
2 x 2 hour mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Director: Aisling Walsh
Starring: David Hayman, Kate Buffery, Iain Glenn and Simon Callow
1998
SUPPLY & DEMAND II
6 x 1 hour series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Directors: Waris Hussein, Colin Bucksey
Starring: Miriam Margoyles, Larry Lamb, Martin Kemp and Eamonn Walker
1997
KILLER NET
4 x 1 hour serial
A La Plante Production for Channel 4
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Director: Geoffrey Sax
Starring: Paul Bettany, Tam Williams, Emily Woof and Jason Orange
1997
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION
2 x 2 hour mini-series
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Director: Aisling Walsh
Starring: David Hayman, Kate Buffery, Rhys Ifans and Corin Redgrave
1996
SUPPLY & DEMAND
2 hour film for television
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Director: Peter MacDonald
Starring: Freddie Starr and Eamonn Walker
1996
THE GOVERNOR II
6 x 1 hour episodes
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Directors: Aisling Walsh, Rob Knights, Bob Mahoney
Starring: Janet McTeer
1996
THE GOVERNOR
2 hour pilot and 5 x 1 hour episodes
A La Plante Production directly commissioned for the ITV Network
Written and Produced by: Lynda La Plante
Directors: Alan Dossor, Rob Knights, Bob Mahoney
Starring: Janet McTeer
1995
SHE’S OUT
6 x 1 hour episodes
A La Plante Production & Cinema Verity production for Carlton Television
Producer: Verity Lambert
Associate Producer: Lynda La Plante
Director: Ian Toynton
1 995
THE LIFEBOAT
First two episodes and storylines for the series
A Bloom Street Productions for the BBC
Producer: Ruth Kenley-Letts
1994
PRIME SUSPECT III
2 x 2 hour film for Granada Television
Producer: Paul Marcus
Director: David Drury
Starring: Helen Mirren
1993
FRAMED
2 x 2 hour film for Anglia Television
Producer: Guy Slater
Director: Geoffrey Sax
Starring: Tim Dalton
1992
COMICS
2 x 2 hour film
A Cinema Verity production for Channel 4
Producer: Verity Lambert
Director: Diamuid Laurence
Starring: Lennie James, Danny Webb, Michael J. Jackson, Tim Guinee
1993
PRIME SUSPECT II
Storyline for Granada Television
Producer: Paul Marcus
Director: John Strickland
Starring: Helen Mirren
1993
SEEKERS
2 x 2 hour film
A Lawson Production for Central Television
Producer: Sarah Lawson
Director: Peter Barber-Fleming
Starring: Brenda Fricker, Josette Simon
1993
SECONDS OUT
A 90 minute film for BBC/Granada Television
Producer: Simon Passmore
Director: Bruce MacDonald
Starring: Tom Bell, Steven Waddington
1992
CIVVIES
6 part television series for BBC Television
Producer: Ruth Caleb
Director: Karl Francis
Starring: Jason Isaacs, Edward O’Connell, Peter O’Toole
1992
PRIME SUSPECT
2 x 2 hour film for Granada Television
Producer: Don Leaver
Director: Chris Menaul
Starring: Helen Mirren
1991
WIDOWS II
6 part television series
A Euston Films production for Thames Television
Producer: Linda Agran
Director: Paul Annette
1985
WIDOWS
6 part television series
A Euston Films production for Thames Television
Producer: Verity Lambert
Director: Ian Toynton
Starring: Ann Mitchell
1983
1982 BAFTA Nomination for Best Direction
USA TELEVISION
FRAMED
2 hour film for TNT based on Lynda La Plante's 'Framed' adapted by Daniel Petrie Jr
Producer:
Executive Producer/Writer: Lynda La Plante
Director: Daniel Petrie Jr
Starring: Rob Lowe and Sam Neill
2001
WIDOWS
4 hour mini series for ABC
Producer: Clara George
Executive Producer/Writer: Lynda La Plante
Director: Geoff Sax
Starring: Mercedes Ruehl, Brooke Shields, Rosie Perez
2000
THE WARDEN
2 hour pilot for TNT based on Lynda La Plante’s series ‘The Governor’ adapted by Natalie Chaidez
Producer: David Roessell, Natalie
Chaidez
Executive Producers: Lynda La Plante, Jon Cowan, Robert Rovner
Director: Stephen Gyllenhaal
Starring: Ally Sheedy
2000
COLD SHOULDER
1 hour pilot for New Regency/CBS
Producer: Jeff Morton
Executive Producer/Writer: Lynda La Plante
Director: Charles Haid
Starring: Kelly McGillis
2000
BELLA MAFIA
4 hour mini-series for CBS
Producer: Frank Konigsberg
Executive Producer/Writer: Lynda La Plante
Director: David Greene
Starring: Vanessa Redgrave
1997
THE PROSECUTORS
2 hour television film
A Scripps Howard Entertainment
production for NBC
Producers: Tom Fontana, Lynda La Plante, Julie Martin
Writers: Tom Fontana, Lynda La Plante
Director: Rod Holcomb
St arring: Stockard Channing
1996
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION VI 2002
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION V 2002
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION IV 2000
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION III 1999
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION II 1998
TRIAL & RETRIBUTION 1997
THE GOVERNOR II 1996
THE GOVERNOR 1995
SHE’S OUT 1995
THE LIFEBOAT 1994
SEEKERS 1993
PRIME SUSPECT III 1993
FRAMED 1992
PRIME SUSPECT II 1992
PRIME SUSPECT I 1991
WIDOWS II 1985
WIDOWS 1983
