The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has announced a major star guest (Image: Harrogate International Festivals)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n \u200b\u200bVera star Brenda Blethyn will be among the special guests at the world\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Read more:<\/strong> Take refuge from the wet winter weather in these 4 brilliant new books <\/a><\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong> We’re the queens of psychological crime \u2013 these were our fave reads of 2025 <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Psychological crime writer Lisa Jewell is this year;s programming chair of the beloved festival (Image: Harrogate International Festivals)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n Unmissable events this year include:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Lisa Jewell, 2026 Programming Chair, says: \u201cI came to my role as this year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “It\u2019s 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\u2019s 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!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Brenda Blethyn, who played DCI Vera Stanhope for 14 years, is a special Harrogate guest (Image: Helen Williams)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is delivered by the north of England\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Simon Theakston, Chairman of title sponsor T&R Theakston Ltd, says: \u201cIt is a huge honour to support the world\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, adds: \u201cI\u2019m 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\u2019ll join us at the Festival in July!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Festival](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/39\/1200x712\/secondary\/Logo-6703797.jpg?r=1769591903095\" "\\"Festival"){kind=logo}
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