John Strickland

Biography

John Strickland is a British television and film director, editor, and producer whose career spans more than four decades. He began working in television in the early 1980s and initially gained experience as an editor before moving into directing. His early credits include The Bill, Brookside, Big Deal, Truckers, and Campion.

Strickland became widely recognized for directing episodes of acclaimed British dramas, including Bodies, Hustle, The Musketeers, Whitechapel, Strike Back, and Line of Duty. He directed 11 episodes of Line of Duty and three episodes of the BBC thriller Bodyguard, working with writer Jed Mercurio on both productions.

In 2023, Strickland directed the supernatural thriller series The Rig for Amazon Prime Video. He directed all six episodes of the first season and also served as an executive producer. The series follows workers trapped on a North Sea oil rig after a mysterious fog and supernatural force cut them off from the mainland.

His other directing credits include The Flight Attendant, Mr Selfridge, Troy: Fall of a City, In Plain Sight, Poirot, The Philanthropist, and The Murder of Princess Diana. His work is particularly associated with crime dramas, thrillers, and suspense-driven television.

Strickland has also worked as an executive producer on The Rig, further expanding his role beyond directing. With a career covering British television, international drama, and genre productions, he has established himself as an experienced director known for tense, character-driven storytelling.