Gordon Frank Newman is an English writer and producer specialising in crime fiction and drama. He is best known for his television work, including Judge John Deed and New Street Law, and his novels, which deal with corruption and social issues.
Gordon Frank Newman was born in Kent, England. He studied at the Stanislavsky Acting School in Chislehurst, where he developed an interest in storytelling. At the age of 18, he wrote a script for the ITV police series No Hiding Place (1959–67), which marked his entry into writing.
His debut novel, Sir, You Bastard (1970), was a bestseller and introduced the ruthless Terry Sneed, a recurring character in his early trilogy. Subsequent titles in the series, You Nice Bastard (1972) and You Flash Bastard (1974), cemented his reputation for hard-hitting stories.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Newman continued exploring themes of power and morality. His books, including Billy (1972), The List (1979) and The Nation's Health (1983), often dealt with institutional corruption. His book Crime and Punishment (2009) inspired the BBC radio series The Corrupted, which will be broadcast in six parts from 2013 to 2021.
In television, Newman adapted his novels into series, including Law & Order (1977) and The Nation's Health (1983). His later work includes the acclaimed legal drama Judge John Deed (2001–07), in which his uncompromising views on the law resonated strongly. Newman has also partnered with screenwriter Matthew Hall to form and run the production company One Eyed Dog Ltd.
Newman's 2024 release, Merry Christmas!, is a reimagined version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It follows Eddie Scarr, a Department for Work and Pensions officer haunted by a traumatic past. Scarr's confrontations with ghostly apparitions evoke the spirit of Dickens' original but with a modern, darker twist. Newman presents a damaged protagonist who must confront his inner turmoil and decide whether redemption is possible.
Outside of work, Newman is a vocal advocate for animal rights and a committed vegan.
Picture credit: BBC
Gordon Frank Newman was born in Kent, England. He studied at the Stanislavsky Acting School in Chislehurst, where he developed an interest in storytelling. At the age of 18, he wrote a script for the ITV police series No Hiding Place (1959–67), which marked his entry into writing.
His debut novel, Sir, You Bastard (1970), was a bestseller and introduced the ruthless Terry Sneed, a recurring character in his early trilogy. Subsequent titles in the series, You Nice Bastard (1972) and You Flash Bastard (1974), cemented his reputation for hard-hitting stories.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Newman continued exploring themes of power and morality. His books, including Billy (1972), The List (1979) and The Nation's Health (1983), often dealt with institutional corruption. His book Crime and Punishment (2009) inspired the BBC radio series The Corrupted, which will be broadcast in six parts from 2013 to 2021.
In television, Newman adapted his novels into series, including Law & Order (1977) and The Nation's Health (1983). His later work includes the acclaimed legal drama Judge John Deed (2001–07), in which his uncompromising views on the law resonated strongly. Newman has also partnered with screenwriter Matthew Hall to form and run the production company One Eyed Dog Ltd.
Newman's 2024 release, Merry Christmas!, is a reimagined version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It follows Eddie Scarr, a Department for Work and Pensions officer haunted by a traumatic past. Scarr's confrontations with ghostly apparitions evoke the spirit of Dickens' original but with a modern, darker twist. Newman presents a damaged protagonist who must confront his inner turmoil and decide whether redemption is possible.
Outside of work, Newman is a vocal advocate for animal rights and a committed vegan.
Picture credit: BBC
years of life: 22 May 1947 – present
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