Welcome to my site. I have written for major broadcasters including the BBC, AMC, ITV and PBS. Recently, I have written on the first three seasons of THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE, the crime drama created by Peter Fincham, starring Adrian Scarborough, for Expectation Entertainment, AMC Networks’ Acorn TV, BBC Studios and ZDF. I am Associate Producer on the show. It’s now available to watch on Acorn TV and U&Drama in the UK.
I wrote the six-part ITV crime drama Prime Suspect 1973. Adapted from Lynda LaPlante’s bestseller Tennison, the primetime series attracted over 6 million viewers per episode. I have written episodes for other established series, including ITV’s medical drama The Good Karma Hospital, World War Two drama Home Fires (also for ITV), BBC medical drama Holby City and the long-running ITV crime series Vera.
Between 2018 and 2021, I was show-runner and writer on the 8-part thriller PONIES for Submarine in the Netherlands, which has since been produced as SAFE HARBOUR. I am Associate Producer on that series.
A graduate of the BBC New Writers Scheme and Red Planet Prize finalist, before writing full-time, I made short films, wrote lots of crime, horror and sci-fi scripts while working day jobs, as a subtitler, software developer, project manager and Apple technician.
I’ll now switch to writing in the third-person…
Glen is represented by Jago Irwin at Independent Talent.
THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE – SEASON THREE
The first three seasons of THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE are now available to watch on Acorn TV, ZDF and AMC+. In the UK, season three comes to U&Drama on May 21st 2025. A co-production between Acorn, ZDF and BBC Studios, Glen Laker wrote the opening two feature-length episodes of season one. On series two, he wrote the opening episode, “The Blue Room”. On series three, he wrote two further episodes: Deadlock and For The Greater Good.
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 (season one), Vanessa Emme as DS Layla Walsh (season two onwards), Frances Barber as Olivia Arnold, Sophie Stone as Chief Forensics Officer Ashley Wilton and Anamaria Marinca as Max’s estranged wife Astrid. Richard Signy, Jenny Darnell, Darcia Martin and Sarah Esdaile direct, Ella Kelly and Peter Fincham exec produce.
PRIME SUSPECT 1973/TENNISON
Glen wrote the 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, averaged 6.1 million per episode.
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.
6 x 60 minute episodes written by Glen Laker. Cast: Stefanie Martini (The Last Kingdom), Sam Reid (Interview With The Vampire), Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners), Alun Armstrong (New Tricks), Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer, Outlaws), Aaron Pierre (Old, Genius) and Ruth Sheen (Vera Drake, Unforgotten). Produced by ITV, PBS and Noho Film & Television. Available on Netflix, Amazon, BritBox and Apple TV etc.
VERA
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.
Glen then went on to write 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.
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 (Game Of Thrones, Slow Horses) and Shane Attwooll (Legend, Stranger Things: The First Shadow), 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 episodes for the second series of ITV’s Second World War drama HOME FIRES.
HOLBY CITY
Glen took part on the Holby City Writers Scheme and went on to write for the series, contributing storylines for the series, and scripting the episode “CRUSH” (series 17). It was the one with the elephant pox and Tom Jones impersonator in it. They say open with your best ideas.
THE PAINTING
Glen 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. 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.
