THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE
Shooting of the second series of THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE is underway. Series one is available to watch on Acorn TV, ZDF and AMC, depending on where you are. A co-production between Acorn TV, ZDF and BBC Studios, Glen Laker wrote the opening two feature-length episodes.
Adrian Scarborough is Detective Inspector Max Arnold, adapting to life on his ramshackle houseboat, as he and his team tackle criminal cases around the affluent and not-so-affluent parts of Chelsea. Series created by Peter Fincham, The Chelsea Detective also stars Sonita Henry as DS Priya Shamsie, Sophie Stone as Chief Forensics Officer Ashley Wilton and Anamaria Marinca as Max’s estranged wife Astrid. Richard Signy and Darcia Martin direct, Ella Kelly produces. The third and fourth episodes are written by Peter Fincham and Liz Lake.
Glen Laker – Writer
Before THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE, Glen adapted Lynda La Plante’s bestseller TENNISON into the six-part series PRIME SUSPECT 1973 (PRIME SUSPECT TENNISON in the US) for ITV and PBS Masterpiece. He also wrote on series five and six of VERA, the second series of HOME FIRES and the third of GOOD KARMA HOSPITAL, all for ITV. After graduating from the 2013 BBC New Writers Scheme, he worked on HOLBY CITY for a couple of years. Before that, Glen was a finalist in the 2013 Red Planet Prize. Before that, he made short films and wrote lots of crime, horror and sci-fi scripts (a couple of which were bought, but never made) while working various day jobs – as a subtitler, software developer, project manager and Apple technician.
Glen Laker is represented by Jago Irwin at Independent Talent.
PRIME SUSPECT 1973/TENNISON
Glen wrote this six-part prequel to Prime Suspect for ITV and PBS Masterpiece, adapted from the bestseller “Tennison” by Lynda La Plante. Here’s a piece about writing it. Directed by David Caffrey (Peaky Blinders, Line of Duty). On its UK premier on ITV in 2017, the series attracted 7.3m viewers and across its six-episode run, it held the second largest audience in five years for a new crime series on the channel, behind Chris Lang’s Unforgotten.
The New York Times praised it, calling it a “solid police thriller”. The Washington Post named it one of the “best new shows of the summer”. The Guardian, Mail, Express and Independent all rated it highly. But, for balance, The Telegraph didn’t like anything about it.
Adapted by Glen Laker. Cast: Stefanie Martini, Sam Reid, Blake Harrison, Alun Armstrong and Ruth Sheen. Produced by ITV, PBS and Noho Film & Television. Available on Netflix, Amazon, BritBox and Apple TV etc.
VERA
The series are all up on Netflix, ITVPlayer and BritBox. Glen wrote episode 2 – Tuesday’s Child – of series 6. Directed by Jill Robertson, starring the brilliant Brenda Blethyn and Kenny Doughty, with Jo Hartley, Sean Gilder, Rakie Ayola, Joe Dixon, Jason Done and Brian Fletcher. It’s the one set around a fairground.
Before that, Glen wrote episode three – Muddy Waters – of series 5, with Mark Bonnar, Alex Reid, Mark Womack, Jennifer Hennessy, Aisling Franciosi and Lee Ross. Directed by Stewart Svaasand. It’s the one with the body in the slurry pit. And no, that wasn’t real slurry.
GOOD KARMA HOSPITAL
Glen wrote the fifth episode of the third series of ITV’s medical drama GOOD KARMA HOSPITAL, broadcast on ITV1, Easter Sunday 2020.
ONE LAST DANCE
Award-winning short film written by Glen Laker, starring Jonathan Pryce and Shane Attwooll, directed by Luke Losey, shown at festivals worldwide, including Rhode Island Film Festival, LA Shorts Festival and New York Short Film Festival.
HOME FIRES
Glen wrote on the second series of ITV’s Second World War drama HOME FIRES.
HOLBY CITY
In 2013, Glen took part on the Holby City Writers Scheme and went on to write for the series, contributing storylines for the 2013-2014 series, and scripting the episode “CRUSH” (BBC1, 28 May 2014). It was the one with the elephant pox and Tom Jones impersonator in it. They say open with your best punchlines.
THE PAINTING
Glen Laker wrote, edited and directed this short film, starring Simon Paisley Day (Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker, Sherlock, Doctor Who) and Lesley Vickerage (Friday Night Dinner, Inspector Lynley Mysteries). Screened at festivals, including Paris and London. Full film available to view on the Videos page.
THE BOY IN THE OAK
Glen wrote this short film, which screened at Cannes 2013. Based on the beautifully illustrated book by Jessica Albarn. Directed by Luke Lose, narrated by Jude Law, with an original score by Damon Albarn. The film is now available to view on the videos page.
CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
An Olympics-themed 30-min drama, written by Glen, directed by Bim Ajadi, broadcast on Film 4 during the 2012 London Olympics. It won BEST BRITISH FILM at the 2013 Deaffest: The UK’s International Deaf Film & Arts Festival and 5 awards (including Best Writer) at the Gainditzen Film Festival, Spain..
