Neil Claude Cross (né Gadd; born 9 February 1969) is a British novelist and scriptwriter, best known as the creator of the drama series Luther and Hard Sun. He is also the showrunner for the TV adaptation of The Mosquito Coast, which began airing in 2021.
Life and career Neil Claude Gadd was born in Bristol on 9 February 1969, to unhappily married parents, Alan and Edna ( Noyes) Gadd. He was the youngest of their four children. His mother ran away when he was five, returned two years later and took him to Edinburgh with Derek Cross, a White South African who was to become his stepfather and whose surname he would adopt.Biodata, theguardian.com. Accessed 13 August 2022.
Neil Cross graduated from the University of Leeds in 1994 with a degree in English and Theology, and received his master's degree in English in the year following. 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).
His novel, 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 2019 it was announced he was adapting Burial into what became the ITV series The Sister.
In 2011, Cross was included in Variety magazine's list of "10 Screenwriters to Watch".
Filmography Television Production Episodes NetworkSpooks The Criminal (2006) The Virus: Part 1 (2007) The Virus: Part 2 (2007) Infiltration (2007) Isolated (2007) New Allegiances (2008) Split Loyalties (2008) Nuclear Strike (2008) BBC OneThe Fixer Episode 4 (2008)ITVLuther Series creator, all episodes (2010–2019)BBC OneWhistle and I'll Come to You TV Movie (2010)BBC TwoDoctor Who "The Rings of Akhaten" (2013) "Hide" (2013)BBC OneCrossbones Series co-creator, 5 episodes (2014) NBCHard Sun Series creator, all episodes (2018) BBC One The Sister Series creator, all episodes (2020)ITVThe Mosquito Coast Series co-creator, 3 episodes (2021–2023)Apple TV+The Iris Affair Series creator (2025)Sky Atlantic
Film Production Role Distributor Mr In-Between (2001) Adapted by Peter Waddington, from Cross' novel Verve Pictures Mama. (2013) Co-written with Andy Muschietti & Barbara Muschietti Universal Pictures Pacific Rim (2013)(uncredited script doctor) Warner Bros. Pictures Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023) Writer and producer (continuation of the series) Netflix Luther 3 Writer and producer
Bibliography Mr In-Between (1998), initially to be entitled Adrenochrome Christendom (1999) Holloway Falls (2003) Always the Sun (2004) Heartland (a memoir) (2006) Natural History (2007) Burial (2009) Captured (2010) Luther: The Calling (2011)
Awards and nominations 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
References
External links
Neil Cross author page on the Simon & Schuster (UK publisher) website Neil Cross author page on the Open Road (US publisher) website