Headliners Announced for 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
By Sarah Morgan
Are you a crime fiction fan? And are you looking for a way to chase away those winter blues? If your answer to those two questions is “yes”, you’re in luck.
That’s because more guests have been added to the line-up for this year’s Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which will once again take place at Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel in July.
Joining the already-announced David Baldacci, Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh, Alice Feeney and festival chair Lisa Jewell will be Ann Cleeves. She’ll be unveiling her latest entry in her DCI Vera Stanhope series, with help from Brenda Blethyn, who spent 14 years playing the character in ITV’s small-screen adaptations.
Look out too for esteemed TV writer and author Anthony Horowitz, and festival debutant Holly Jackson. Chris Brookmyre is set to celebrate 30 years as a published writer by appearing in conversation with Chris Whitaker, while international bestsellers Jane Harper and LJ Ross drop by to discuss their latest literary offerings.
2026 festival chair, Lisa Jewell
image: Mike Whorley
“New faces”
“I came to my role as this year’s Chair of programming for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Fesitval with a golden wish-list of superstars, and I can barely believe how many of them we have now confirmed as headliners,” says a clearly thrilled Jewell. “It’s a brilliant mix of new faces, perennial favourites and a surprise or two and I think readers are going to be blown away by this year’s line-up.
“I am so excited to be there, in the moment, sharing this programme in all its glory with our attendees – so many incredible headliners, so many fascinating conversations, so much to look forward to. Roll on Harrogate 2026!”
For more information, including ticket details, visit: harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
Sarah Morgan studied film journalism at post-graduate level with the BFI and has been writing about TV and film for PA Media’s newspaper, magazine and new media customers since 1996. She’s also written for a wide range of other publications, both online and in print, including the book Offbeat and Intermission magazine, and is a regular contributor to the Talking Pictures TV podcast. When she isn’t watching movies, she’s collecting and reading vintage crime and horror paperback books or, for her sins, watching her beloved Sheffield Wednesday.
