Mick Herron Named as Programming Chair for the 2025 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival

By Sarah Morgan

Harrogate International Festivals have big news – the Programming Chair for next year’s Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which will run from July 17-20, is none other than Mick Herron.

He follows in the footsteps of the likes of Ruth Ware (who did an excellent job at this summer’s event), Lee Child, Denise Mina, Ian Rankin and Val McDermid.

Getting Herron on board is something of a coup – he’s the man of the moment in the crime writing world thanks to the success of Apple TV+’s international hit series Slow Horses, starring Gary Oldman, which is based on Herron’s Slough House novels set in the murky world of espionage.

“Happy memories”

He’s no stranger to the festival, however, having been shortlisted for its Crime Novel of the Year six times, winning in 2022.

“The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is an annual highlight for crime writers the world over, a collegiate gathering where the callous and cosy genres meet, and their practitioners discover they have more in common than might have been expected,” says Herron. “I attended my first Harrogate weekend 10 years ago, and each one since has provided a wealth of happy memories. 

“So, it’s an honour and a thrill to be invited to work alongside a brilliant, dedicated committee, with an eye to producing a Festival that will continue to promote the wide-ranging talents of our community and offer new treats alongside familiar pleasures.”

“Showstopping celebration”

Simon Theakston, chairman of sponsors T&R Theakston Ltd, adds: “As a long-time admirer of Mick Herron’s work, I am delighted that such an internationally renowned writer – and former Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year winner – is taking on this important role. I’m intrigued to find out which crime and thriller writers will feature on Mick’s programme and look forward to another showstopping celebration of the world’s best loved genre next summer.”

This year’s festival sold a whopping 18,000 tickets, so next year’s has a lot to live up to – but with Herron in the driving seat, the sky’s the limit.