Crime Thriller Awards Season

ITV3 18 August - 6 October, 2008

Six of Britain’s finest crime writers have been nominated for ITV3’s inaugural Writer’s Award for Classic TV Drama. The nominees are Colin Dexter, Ian Rankin, PD James, Ruth Rendell, Val McDermid and Lynda La Plante. 

The work of each author will be showcased for one week on ITV3, beginning with specially commissioned documentaries which will introduce viewers to the personalities behind the shows, their writing methods, and the fabulous lifestyles their success has bought them.

Viewers will chose the winner by voting for their favourite for free on the ITV3 website. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Hotel on 3 October (6 October on ITV3).  Other awards will include three new fiction prizes, Best New Film, Best New UK TV Drama, Best New US TV Drama, Best Actresses in Film/TV and Best Actor in Film/TV.  Each award of the evening will be presented by celebrity faces with a connection to the world of crime fiction – from celebrated authors to actors whose portrayals are admired the world over. 

The ITV3 Writer’s Award for Classic TV Drama will be presented by Dame Helen Mirren.  Other confirmed award presenters include Wire in the Blood star Robson Green, Silent Witness actress Emelia Fox, investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre and stars of The Bill Alex Walkinshaw and Lisa Maxwell. The first three entires into The International Crime Writing Hall of Fame will also be announced.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by Alan Davies: “The nominees for the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards are so varied - from Ashes to Ashes to The Dark Knight - it really highlights the breadth of the crime thriller genre and the amazing standard of work that is available at the moment.”

The nominees for Film of the Year are:
 The Bourne Ultimatum, The Dark Knight, Gone Baby Gone and No Country for Old Men.

In the running for TV Crime Drama of the Year are:
 Ashes to Ashes (BBC), He Kills Coppers (ITV), Criminal Justice (BBC), The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (BBC), Spooks (BBC), Wire in the Blood (ITV).

The International TV Crime Drama of the Year nominees are:
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Wire, Dexter, Numb3rs, CSI: Miami, Shark

Best Actress nominees are: Kelly Reilly (He Kills Coppers), Jill Scott (The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency), Amanda Redman (New Tricks), Hermione Norris (Spooks), Keeley Hawes (Ashes to Ashes).

And finally, in the running for Best Actor are:
 Philip Glenister (Ashes to Ashes), James Nesbitt (Midnight Man & Murphy’s Law), Rupert Penry-Jones (Spooks), Dominic West (The Wire), Ben Whishaw (Criminal Justice).

The Award Winners

3 October, 2008

ITV3 Writer’s Award for Classic TV Drama: Colin Dexter

Film of the Year: The Bourne Ultimatum

TV Crime Drama of the Year: Criminal Justice

International Crime Drama of the Year: The Wire

Best Actor Award: Rupert Penry-Jones (Spooks)

Best Actress Award: Hermione Norris (Spooks)

Author of the Year: Ian Rankin

International Author of the Year: Stieg Larsson

Breakthrough Author of the Year: Stuart MacBride

International Crime Writing Hall of Fame: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Dame Agatha Christie and PD James

ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Show: 10pm on 6th October 2008 (repeated 11:30pm 9th October).