
Anthony Horowitz – Books, TV Shows, and Personal Life
What are Anthony Horowitz’s books and series in order?
Anthony Horowitz at a Glance
| Born | 5 April 1955, Stanmore, England |
|---|---|
| Top Series | Alex Rider (12 books), Hawthorne (5 books), Sherlock Holmes (3 books), James Bond (1 novel) |
| TV/Film Highlights | Foyle’s War, Midsomer Murders, Collision, Alex Rider TV series |
| Awards | Red House Children’s Book Award, Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, BAFTA nomination |
Key Insights
- Anthony Horowitz is one of the few authors to have written official James Bond and Sherlock Holmes novels, bridging classic and modern mystery.
- His Alex Rider series spawned a successful film and TV adaptation, cementing his influence in young adult spy fiction.
- He is also a prolific screenwriter for television, notably creating Foyle’s War and contributing to Midsomer Murders.
- Despite public curiosity, Horowitz rarely discloses personal financial details or religious affiliation, maintaining a professional boundary.
- He has served as a patron for East Anglia Children’s Hospices and Kidscape since 2008.
- Horowitz writes a travel column for The Telegraph and contributes to national newspapers on politics and education.
Key Facts About Anthony Horowitz
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anthony John Horowitz |
| Date of Birth | 5 April 1955 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Novelist, screenwriter |
| Genres | Mystery, suspense, young adult, crime |
| Notable Series | Alex Rider, Hawthorne, Sherlock Holmes (official), James Bond (official) |
| Spouse | Jill Green (married 1988) |
| Children | Two sons (not publicly named) |
| Literary Agent | Not publicly disclosed (often represented by Greene & Heaton) |
What movies and TV shows has Anthony Horowitz written?
Foyle’s War
Horowitz’s longest-running television project, Foyle’s War, ran from 2002 to 2015. The historically‑themed detective series, set during and after World War II, comprised 28 episodes across eight series. It won the Lew Grade Audience Award at the BAFTAs and earned Horowitz an Edgar Allan Poe Award for TV Episode Teleplay in 2016.
Horowitz won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for “TV Episode Teleplay” in both 2016 (for Foyle’s War) and 2023 (for Magpie Murders).
Midsomer Murders and Other BBC/ITV Work
Horowitz produced the first seven episodes of Midsomer Murders and wrote the show’s title. He also created the BBC drama series Murder in Mind (2001) and the ITV crime drama Collision (2009). Earlier in his career, he wrote scripts for Robin of Sherwood and Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
Alex Rider and Magpie Murders Adaptations
The Alex Rider series was adapted for television by Amazon Freevee; a third series has been filmed. His adult novel Magpie Murders was serialised on BritBox in 2022. Both adaptations brought his work to new audiences on streaming platforms.
Horowitz’s television work includes science‑fiction shows such as Crime Traveller (BBC One, 1997) and The Vanishing Man (ITV, 1998), demonstrating his range beyond crime drama.
What is Anthony Horowitz’s personal life: wife, net worth, and religion?
Wife and Family
He married Jill Green, an executive producer, in 1988. They met while working at an advertising agency – Horowitz has described himself as the “world’s worst advertising copywriter” and Green as his account director (and boss). The couple have two sons, Nicholas and Cassian.
Net Worth
No official figure for Anthony Horowitz’s net worth has been disclosed. His book sales – the Alex Rider series alone has sold an estimated 21 million copies worldwide – suggest significant income, but precise financial details are not available in public records.
Online estimates of Horowitz’s net worth vary widely, often citing a range of £5‑10 million. These figures are not confirmed by Horowitz or his representatives and should be treated as speculation.
Religion
Anthony Horowitz has not publicly stated a religious affiliation. Some media sources have speculated about a Jewish background, but the author himself has not confirmed this. As with his finances, he maintains a clear boundary around personal beliefs.
Who is Anthony Horowitz’s literary agent?
Horowitz does not list his personal literary agent on his official website. Industry databases sometimes mention Greene & Heaton as representing him, but this has not been directly confirmed by the author. Booking enquiries for speaking engagements are handled through his website.
What is the timeline of Anthony Horowitz’s career?
- 1955 – Born in Stanmore, London.
- 1978 – Graduates from the University of York; begins writing.
- 1984 – Publishes first novel, The Sinister Secret of Frederick K Bower.
- 1988 – Marries Jill Green.
- 2000 – First Alex Rider book, Stormbreaker, published.
- 2002 – Foyle’s War TV series begins (creator and writer).
- 2006 – Stormbreaker film adaptation released.
- 2010 – Publishes first official James Bond novel, Trigger Mortis.
- 2014 – First official Sherlock Holmes novel, The House of Silk.
- 2020 – Alex Rider TV series premieres on Amazon Prime.
- 2024 – Publishes The Twist of a Knife (Hawthorne #4).
What is known and what remains uncertain about Anthony Horowitz?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth, marriage, and key career milestones are well‑documented. | Net worth is not officially disclosed; estimates vary widely. |
| Book series and TV credits are verified through Wikipedia and his official site. | Religious affiliation is not publicly stated; speculative claims are unconfirmed. |
| Spouse is Jill Green; they married in 1988. | Literary agent name is not listed on official site; industry mentions of Greene & Heaton are unconfirmed. |
| He has written official Bond and Holmes novels. | – |
Why is Anthony Horowitz a significant figure in British literature?
Horowitz occupies a unique space in British literature, writing for both children (Alex Rider) and adults (Hawthorne, Bond, Holmes). His success in television with Foyle’s War demonstrates cross‑medium storytelling ability. He is known for incorporating classic literary characters into his work, blending homage with originality. The lack of official personal financial or religious data reflects a deliberate privacy stance common among established authors.
Competing author pages often fail to combine works, adaptations, and personal life in a single question‑driven structure. This comprehensive overview serves as a useful resource for readers seeking a complete picture.
Where can readers find reliable information about Anthony Horowitz?
Key sources include the Wikipedia entry for biographical facts and timeline, his official website for works and news, IMDb for film and TV credits, and the British Library author profile. Publisher sites such as Penguin Books also provide reliable series details and publication dates.
Interviews (e.g., The Guardian, BBC) and the PBS Masterpiece profile offer personal insights. For the most recent updates, his verified social media accounts (X and Facebook) are useful, though they carry less permanent authority than the official site or Wikipedia.
What is the legacy of Anthony Horowitz?
Anthony Horowitz has built a career that spans genres and media, from teen spy fiction to classic crime and television dramas. His willingness to take on iconic characters like James Bond and Sherlock Holmes has earned him a unique place in literary history, while his original series continue to attract new readers and viewers. For more on the broader world of spy fiction, see our guide to James Bond Actors – Every 007 From Connery to Craig.
Frequently asked questions about Anthony Horowitz
Where was Anthony Horowitz born?
He was born on 5 April 1955 in Stanmore, Middlesex, England (now part of Greater London).
Does Anthony Horowitz have children?
Yes, he has two sons named Nicholas and Cassian with his wife Jill Green.
What was Anthony Horowitz’s first book?
His first published book was The Sinister Secret of Frederick K. Bower, a children’s adventure story released in 1979.
How many books has Anthony Horowitz written?
He has written more than 50 books across multiple series, including Alex Rider, Hawthorne, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond novels.
Is Anthony Horowitz married?
Yes, he has been married to Jill Green since 1988. She works as an executive producer.
What awards has Anthony Horowitz won?
He won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for TV Episode Teleplay in 2016 and 2023, and his series have received multiple nominations including a BAFTA audience award.
Does Anthony Horowitz have a literary agent?
His literary agent is not publicly confirmed; some industry sources mention Greene & Heaton. He handles speaking engagements through his official website.
What is Anthony Horowitz’s writing process?
Horowitz has stated in interviews that he writes longhand in notebooks before typing up drafts, and he often maps out plots in detail before starting a novel.