Originally Published 06 March 2003

Former Warwick student and lecturer Steve Attridge has recently hit the news again with the publication of his latest book, Nationalism, Imperialism and Identity in late Victorian Culture. There are also rumours that the producers of his latest script are seeking Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe to star in Sam, a film about a telekinetic teenager.

Steve is no stranger to public acclaim having been recognised by various award bodies in his career including BAFTA, the Royal Television Society and the Writers' Guild.

He is perhaps best known for his childrens' television work including the long-running series The Queen's Nose and The Boot Street Band. He has also written a long list of childrens' fiction based on his own scripts and vice-versa. He confesses "Writing the television script first often makes it easier to get the book published - it means that publishers can see the potential for profit."

Steve studied for his PhD here at Warwick before teaching elective courses in English and Drama at the Warwick Institute of Education. He wrote many of his first books and scripts whilst working at Warwick but had always planned to work exclusively as a writer.

He explains "I am grateful to Warwick, not only because I studied and worked there, but also because my first play was put on at the University."

Much to his accountant's dismay, Steve made the decision to write for adults, reviving his PhD research interest in the 19th century. He has made a success of this too. BBC One aired his factual programme on George Eliot to accompany Andrew Davies' adaptation of Daniel Deronda in November 2002. BBC One will also be showing Steve's 2-hour drama-documentary on the Brontes in the new season?s programming as part of their Landmark Programmes initiative.

Steve is currently working on a teen novel and a new film script. Steve explained the premise of the new film "It is an old-fashioned Agatha Christie-style who-dunnit, set at an Eastern European Literary Conference. It's based on murder amongst the literati and has a strong comic element."