The star-studded programme for Granite Noir X has become even more stellar as Alison O’Donnell and Dawn Steele are added to the line-up for the crime writing festival in Aberdeen in February.
Joining legendary author Ann Cleeves, Emeritus Professor in Forensic Medicine Dr James Grieve and host Nicola Meighan; Alison and Dawn will appear at Granite Noir’s Shetland: A Celebration on Saturday 21 February, a retrospective of the series to mark ten years of the popular TV adaptation.
Alison O’Donnell is best known for her portrayal of DS Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh across all ten seasons of the celebrated BBC series. Appearing alongside her, Dawn Steele has built a diverse screen career including roles in Monarch of the Glen, Granite Harbour, and more recently joined the cast of Shetland season eight as Stella Quinn. Together they will provide first-hand insight into the enduring success of the TV adaptation in what is sure to be a real highlight of the festival programme.
The Shetland celebration is part of Granite Noir’s tenth edition, marking a decade of dark tales, dangerous minds and deadly secrets. Leading the line-up, stalwarts of Scottish crime fiction, Val McDermid and Denise Mina making a welcome return for Granite Noir X. Having appeared separately at the very first Granite Noir and more down the years, the two finally come together for Queens of Crime on Friday 20 February, an evening of discussion and more from two of Scotland’s most beloved authors.
Another highlight of the programmes comes from the unmissable closing event, pairing two international crime heavyweights in conversation about love, loss and the terror of not knowing. Canadian superstar Shari Lapena (The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House) joins Icelandic bestselling author Eva Björg Ægisdóttir (Forbidden Iceland series) to delve into their latest novels in Missing Without a Trace, Sunday 22 February.
Continuing the spotlight on crime writing greats, Granite Noir 2026 pays tribute to Agatha Christie on the 50th anniversary of her death. His Majesty’s Theatre welcomes the European premiere of a brand-new adaptation of Death on the Nile for the duration of the festival; and Belmont Community Cinema brings the inimitable 1974 version Murder on the Orient Express to Cowdray Hall, starring Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery, and Albert Finney as Hercule Poirot.
Other screening events at Granite Noir reflect the author programme, with Ann Cleeves introducing Shetland - Raven Black Parts 1 and 2, two episodes of the iconic Shetland series featuring Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez and the legendary Brian Cox. And Denise Mina introduces the first of Steig Larsson’s Millenium Trilogy which she adapted into hard-hitting and stunning graphic novels, with David Fincher’s film version of neo-noir thriller, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Granite Noir X also highlights the next generation of writers, with a series of workshops to cultivate the crime writing itch. Author and illustrator Vivian French leads a discussion on The Art and Magic of Picture Books covering the extraordinary world of illustrated children’s fiction; and for budding young writers Whodunnit? Where? How? And Why? where children 8-12 years will create their very own unique Granite Noir thriller.
Readers of all ages will enjoy Granite Noir X, with bestselling and exciting voices for younger audiences taking to the stage across the weekend. Award winning author Chae Strathie takes children on a whirlwind adventure through time in So You Think You’ve Got it Bad (age 7+); Sarah Todd Taylor invites us all to enter the world of espionage with Create Your Own Spy (ages 7-12) and The World of Alice Eclair (ages 9-12); acclaimed poet and author Nadine Aisha Jassat invites young readers to The House at the Edge of the World (ages 8-12); and New York Times bestselling author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé dives into the ever growing world of Young Adult fiction in Addictive Y.A. (ages 14+).
Granite Noir X will run Tuesday 17 – Sunday 22 February 2026, taking place in Aberdeen Performing Arts venues His Majesty’s Theatre, Music Hall and the Lemon Tree; as well as venues across the city, including Robert Gordon University Campus, Central Library and Cowdray Hall.
Tickets and full programme information for Granite Noir X are available online from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com, or book over the phone on (01224) 641122 or in person at the box office at His Majesty’s Theatre or Music Hall, Aberdeen.
Granite Noir is produced and curated by Aberdeen Performing Arts. We are grateful for the support of our funders Aberdeen City Council, Creative Scotland and Event Scotland. Granite Noir is presented with our partners Aberdeen City Libraries, Aberdeen Archives Galleries and Museums, Belmont Community Cinema, Citymoves Dance Agency, and Robert Gordon University.