The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has announced a major star guest (Image: Harrogate International Festivals)
Vera star Brenda Blethyn will be among the special guests at the world’s best-loved and most prestigious celebration of crime writing this summer. The actress, who played Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope from 2011 to 2025, will appear at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival alongside Ann Cleeves on whose books the Northumberland-set series is based.
Other big names announced today include Foyles War and Alex Rider creator Anthony Horowitz, Holly Jackson, Chris Brookymyre, Chris Whitaker, Jane Harper and LJ Ross. They join previously announced headliners Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh, Alice Feeney and David Baldacci in a thrilling line-up.
The festival, which takes place at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, from July 23 to 26 and is supported by the Express, is this year curated by bestselling writer Lisa Jewell. Now in its 23rd year, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is the jewel in the crown of the global crime fiction community.
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Psychological crime writer Lisa Jewell is this year;s programming chair of the beloved festival (Image: Harrogate International Festivals)
Unmissable events this year include:
- Writer Ann Cleeves and actor Brenda Blethyn, who played DCI Vera Stanhope for 14 years, take an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the much-loved TV series, and Cleeves unveils her latest Vera Stanhope novel;
- Hugely successful author and TV writer Anthony Horowitz returns to the Festival hot on the heels of smash-hit BBC TV dramas Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders to showcase his latest novel;
- Making her Festival debut Holly Jackson, mega bestselling author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, introduces her new unputdownable thriller, Not Quite Dead Yet;
- Queen of the psychological thriller and 2026 Festival Chair Lisa Jewell in conversation with Lee Child, iconic creator of the Jack Reacher novels;
- Two of the most original voices in crime fiction, and previous winners of the Theakston Old Peculier Novel of the Year, Chris Whitaker and Chris Brookmyre, make a welcome return to the Festival to discuss their latest novels, as Chris Brookmyre celebrates his 30th year as a published author;
- And homegrown phenomenon LJ Ross and internationally celebrated Australian author Jane Harper, both multi-million-copy sensations, showcase their much-anticipated new novels.
Lisa Jewell, 2026 Programming Chair, says: “I came to my role as this year’s Chair of programming for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival with a golden wish-list of crime writing superstars, and I can barely believe how many of them we have now confirmed as headliners.
“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!”
Brenda Blethyn, who played DCI Vera Stanhope for 14 years, is a special Harrogate guest (Image: Helen Williams)
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is delivered by the north of England’s leading arts Festival organisation, Harrogate International Festivals, and forms part of their diverse year-round portfolio of events, which aims to bring immersive cultural experiences to as many people as possible.
Harrogate International Festivals celebrates six decades of arts Festivals in 2026, marking the milestone with more headline names than ever and exciting developments, set to make it the biggest Festival yet.
Simon Theakston, Chairman of title sponsor T&R Theakston Ltd, says: “It is a huge honour to support the world’s biggest and best crime writing Festival for an incredible 23rd year. After our most successful year ever in 2025, we are delighted to welcome a bumper crop of exceptional Special Guests who include icons of the genre, chart topping authors and writers behind some of the most watched TV adaptations in recent years to our one-of-a-kind Festival this summer.”
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, adds: “I’m so proud of the incredible roster of Special Guest headliners curated by Lisa Jewell and the team. Readers have always been at the heart of the Festival and in the National Year of Reading, the 2026 programme is unapologetically reader-led, celebrating some of the most-read authors in the world whose books showcase the enduring appeal of crime fiction. Watch out for some more big reveals when we share the full programme in April and we hope you’ll join us at the Festival in July!”
- Weekend Break Packages are on sale now. To book, please call the Festivals team on +44(0)1423 562 303 or email info@harrogate-festival.org.uk or click here