Steph McGovern is definitely one of the most in-demand people in TV right now. Besides hosting several shows – including the recently announced Crimewatch – she’s also becoming a published author. Her first book was a hit, and she’ll be appearing at the Cheltenham Literature Festival soon.
McGovern’s first novel, Deadline, came out in July and has been very well-received. The story centers around Rose, a news reporter, whose broadcast is interrupted when someone takes over her earpiece and reveals they’ve kidnapped her child. She’s then forced to rely on this person as she desperately tries to understand the situation and prevent a disaster. Read more about the book here.
It was a truly tense experience, stemming from a world McGovern understands intimately. However, it was also inspiring words from a well-known author that ultimately helped her succeed.
I had a strong idea for a story – a TV reporter being hijacked live on air – but I wasn’t sure about the motivations or the perpetrator. Ann Cleeves encouraged me to allow the characters to develop the story naturally; this gave me confidence in my writing process because I didn’t need to have every detail planned out beforehand, and I realized that’s probably how it *should* be done. It was incredibly freeing,” McGovern explained.
I really enjoy reading crime novels, so I often find myself wondering ‘what if?’ scenarios. Therefore, for me, the normal situation would be being on live television-the truly unusual part would be if the broadcast were interrupted or taken over.
McGovern is now working on her second novel and is really enjoying it. Although she’s stepping away from television for this project, her main character, Rose, will be returning. Having a character that readers already know, the next logical step would be a TV show based on the book, and McGovern is optimistic about that possibility.
I’m constantly checking with my agent to see if we can get it on television! I know the process takes time, so I don’t expect it to happen right away, but I’m really hoping it does. The fact that it’s set in the TV world makes it a perfect fit for adaptation, she said with excitement.
She also confessed that she’d been imagining who could portray Rose, and her top choice is Faye Marsay, another person from Teesside, who happened to also narrate the audiobook for Deadline.
What really stood out to me is that she’s not only a fantastic actress, but she’s also from my hometown – she’s actually from Middlesbrough. Having grown up here myself, she perfectly captures the local accent and delivery – and, again, she’s a brilliant actress. She brings the voice of the book to life so authentically, because she speaks just like people from around here would. That detail was really important to me.
On My Bookshelf: Steph McGovern
The book that sparked my love of reading as an adult was Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. I really enjoyed it because it transported me to a completely unfamiliar world. To be honest, I used to dislike history in school, but while reading this book, I thought to myself, ‘I wish my history classes had been presented like this’.
My top book recommendation is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I could easily name many books, as my favorites change frequently! I’m currently loving Seven Husbands, but I’ll likely have a new favorite within a few weeks.
I’m currently reading 59 Minutes by Holly Seddon, and it’s a really enjoyable book. The story centers around a diverse group of people who learn they have just 59 minutes before a nuclear missile strike. I began reading it around the time we all received those emergency alerts on our phones a few weeks ago, and the situation in the book mirrors that experience for the characters.
My six-star book is In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callaghan, her first thriller. She’s deeply knowledgeable about AI, and this book reflects both her understanding and experiences with it. It’s a really thought-provoking look at the future of AI, which is particularly interesting to me as a business journalist.
The book I wish I’d written is Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh – but I’ve got loads though!
Join Steph McGovern as she chats with Mark Billingham at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Wednesday, October 15th at 8pm. Get your tickets here.
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2025-10-03 14:07