Ian Kennedy Martin, the acclaimed television writer best known for creating the gritty 1970s police drama The Sweeney, has died at the age of 90 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. His death was announced on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues.
A Storied Career in Television
Martin's career spanned decades, with his most iconic work being The Sweeney, which ran for four series between 1975 and 1978. However, he left the show after just the pilot episode due to a disagreement with ITV and the show's producer. Despite his early departure, the series became a landmark in British television, known for its raw portrayal of police work.
Beyond The Sweeney, Martin contributed to a wide range of programmes, including Bergerac, Juliet Bravo, The Chinese Detective, The Fourth Floor, and King & Castle. He also wrote several novels over the course of his career.
Family and Collaborations
Martin's brother, Troy Kennedy Martin, was also a prominent television writer, best known for creating the police series Z-Cars. The brothers collaborated closely, drawing on police contacts they had accumulated over the years. Ian once recalled in 2012: “We accumulated some police contacts. Through the years he and I had written things about the police and finally I had this contact who was working with the Flying Squad called Dave Wilson – he was an Inspector there.” Troy died of lung cancer in 2009 at the age of 77.
Ian is survived by his wife Barbara Ohrbach, whom he married in 1970, and their two children, Lucy and Daniel. He also leaves behind two grandsons and his sister Mo.
Tributes and Legacy
Tributes have flooded in following his death. One fan wrote: “Ian Kennedy Martin - the creator of The Sweeney has died at the age of 90. I had the pleasure of interviewing him way back in 2012. He was fascinating and incredibly gracious.” Another hailed him as “brilliant,” adding: “The Sweeney featured screeching tyres, punch-ups, officers who could be as violent as the criminals, and lines such as: ‘Get yer trousers on – you’re nicked!’”
Martin's impact on British television is undeniable, with The Sweeney remaining a touchstone for police dramas that followed.
