Edward Docx is the oldest of seven children. He was born in the North East and grew up in the North West. He went to school near Moss Side in city-center Manchester and then on to Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he read English Literature. He has lived in London for the last twenty-five years where he works.
He started writing fiction when he was in his teens and completed three unpublished novels before The Calligrapher, his debut, was bought by 4th Estate and published in 2003. Let Go My Hand is his fourth novel. His second novel – Pravda – won The Geoffrey Faber Prize and was long listed for the Man Booker. The novels are translated and published all over the world.
Edward Docx’s journalism has been listed for the Orwell Prize for journalism and he has written for all the major magazines and newspapers – most frequently The Guardian and The New Statesman in the UK. He worked in Westminster and has interviewed several leading politicians and remains politically active. He is also a long standing teacher of The Guardian’s Masterclass on fiction.
Ed began screenwriting in 2018. Most recently, he has been working as an episode writer on SLOW HORSES for Apple TV.
Prior to that, Ed worked with Andrew Davies on political series DOWNING STREET – originating the first series and working on the pilot. ITV drama commissioned Ed to write a three-part series – THE PEAK (based on one of his articles) about the peak period of Covid. Ed has also co-written two screenplays with the Australian writer/director of Muriel’s Wedding, PJ Hogan. And he has written three full length solo screenplays – most recently an adaptation of his own fourth novel – LET GO MY HAND – to be produced by Kevin Loader. He has worked with various UK producers and writers uncredited – as originator, screen-doctor and in writers’ rooms.
He now has two projects in development as show runner – one bought by Armando Iannucci and the other by Simon Maxwell at Motive Pictures.