Charles Higson

Charles Higson, born July 3, 1958, is an English actor, comedian, author, and former singer. His career began in music, fronting punk band The Right Hand Lovers and later The Higsons, who released music on the 2 Tone Records label. He transitioned to television, co-writing and performing in sketch comedy shows like 'The Fast Show' and 'Swiss Toni'. Higson has also written screenplays and produced television series. His literary work includes the young adult post-apocalyptic series 'The Enemy' and the 'Young Bond' novels, which explore James Bond's school days.

Beyond his popular young adult fiction, Higson has also contributed to the 'Fighting Fantasy' gamebook series with 'The Gates of Death'. In 2023, he penned his first adult James Bond novel, 'On His Majesty's Secret Service,' to commemorate King Charles III's coronation. Higson's television adaptations include Agatha Christie's 'A Caribbean Mystery' and Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Jekyll and Hyde'. He has also appeared in various television dramas and comedy panel shows.

Charles Higson is widely recognized for his contributions to young adult literature. He penned the 'Young Bond' series, a collection of five novels that delve into James Bond's formative years at Eton College, beginning with 'SilverFin' in 2005. More notably, he created the post-apocalyptic zombie-horror series 'The Enemy,' which commenced with its titular book in 2009 and expanded to seven installments. This series, aimed at young adults, depicts a world overrun by a zombie plague affecting children. Higson also ventured into interactive fiction, writing the 'Fighting Fantasy' gamebook 'The Gates of Death' in 2018, demonstrating his engagement with the genre he has long admired. His literary output extended to an adult James Bond novel, 'On His Majesty's Secret Service,' published in 2023.

Before his success as an author, Charles Higson was active in the music scene. He was the lead singer for the band The Higsons from 1980 to 1986, which released singles on the 2 Tone Records label. Prior to that, he was involved with the punk band The Right Hand Lovers. Higson also established a career in comedy and television writing, collaborating with Paul Whitehouse. He was a key writer and performer on the acclaimed BBC sketch show 'The Fast Show' (1994–2000). His television work also includes producing, writing, and starring in the sitcom 'Swiss Toni,' a spin-off from 'The Fast Show,' and adapting classic literature for television, such as Agatha Christie's 'A Caribbean Mystery' and Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Jekyll and Hyde'.