My Blog

Stories from My World

Join me as I share insights from both sides of my creative life - the world of crime writing and the stage and screen. From behind-the-scenes stories to writing tips and personal reflections.

Writing

Crime fiction insights

Acting

Stage & screen stories

Books

Behind the scenes

Life

Personal reflections

"I love sharing the stories behind my stories - the research, the inspiration, and the creative process that brings my characters to life."
— Linda Regan
ActingFeatured

Self Tapes for Actors

It is now Autumn. I have been very busy, but am getting very disheartened about having to do self-tapes for auditions. These all started in covid days, and are now a norm in our industry. You are sent a script and have to learn it, and then film yourself, or get someone else to film you doing it. In the old days we could meet the director and chat and they would tell us what they wanted. I preferred that, but everything changes and auditioning certainly has. One day it may all change back, and I certainly hope that day comes around.

16 November 2023
3 min read
Acting
4 min read

April 2023

I was so pleased to see Jane Seymour starring in a new crime series, currently on the box. I am sure I speak for every actress my age when I say how hard it is still to get work was in television and film as one gets progressively older. The media is snowed under with stories about ageism and yet our industry still doesn't like older actresses. I am not going to complain too loudly, as I think we are on our way to better days, there are more female directors than ever there was when I was young, and more technical operators are female, however there is still a long way to go. So ladies, let us keep going, let us keep trying, and for those of us that can, let us keep creating great roles for older women.

30 March 2023
Life
8 min read

Goodbye 2022

Saying hello to 2023 and goodbye to 2022 feels a relief for me. I am praying that this year will be kinder to our industry and we won't lose so many greats from our big show business family to that big show in the sky. I am not going to name all the wonderful performers who left us last year, for fear of missing anyone out. But I would like, here in print, to speak briefly about the ones that I knew well, or worked with. In my way I feel that will keep them and their talents alive.

9 January 2023
Books
2 min read

The Burning Question

This is my latest book. It has had excellent reviews, I am very relieved to say. Available on Amazon. It is a DCI Banham and DI Grainger mystery, featuring an arsonist on the loose and a new member of the team, who knows who the arsonist is, but daren't say for fear of putting her career in jeopardy.

7 November 2022
Acting
3 min read

David Suchet's Knighthood

Today I feel really thrilled that someone has finally got something right. The actor David Suchet (He played Poirot, in case you need reminding), has been awarded a knighthood. I worked with him as a young actress in the RSC. He was my workshop leader, and I was in the RSC production on Once in a Lifetime, with him, and taught me so much. He is one on the genius' of our business and his knighthood is so well deserved. Hooray for this.

20 October 2020
Life
5 min read

Lockdown Reflections - May 2020

So we are in lockdown. The government has said we can work from home or go back to work if we can't. I can write, but I can't do any acting, as contact is only within 2 metres of another person. And all my after dinner talks and festival hosting etc is cancelled. However, this time will pass and I am using mine to write more and keep my acting craft up to scratch. My latest book The Terror Within, is doing well, I am delighted to say, and I have had a lot of lovely letters from readers saying they are enjoying it.

14 May 2020
Acting
4 min read

Jack the Ripper Panel Discussion

I Had such an interesting afternoon hosting a panel from the award winning Jack the Ripper two-part series. MY panel included the immensely interesting, and fascinating David Wickes, the director of the film. He had researched the killer so thoroughly and brought so many views before us. Also the actors Gary Shail, Hugh Fraser, and George Sweeney, all played leading roles and could have been the Ripper. Many thanks to Misty Moon Productions for producing such a fascinating talk, and to the Cinema Museum for having us.

19 June 2019
Life
2 min read

Book Donations for Health Workers

I'm sure everyone reading this will agree it is a very hard time for the acting and book profession. Of course with the coronavirus, it is an extremely challenging time for the whole of the world. I would be very happy to donate some books to the health workers, and everyone and anyone working to keep us alive and keep this terrible disease at bay. If anyone wants to donate books too, any authors, or just anybody with books, do feel free to get in touch with me.

8 April 2020