Ian Kennedy Martin, the British television writer best known for creating the groundbreaking police drama *The Sweeney*, died on June 27, 2026, at the age of 90. His work reshaped the portrayal of law enforcement on British television, moving away from idealized images toward a grittier, more realistic depiction of police officers in the 1970s.

Born on May 23, 1936, Kennedy Martin drew inspiration for *The Sweeney* from his friendship with a detective in the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad, an elite unit targeting violent crime. The show, which aired on ITV from 1975 to 1978, portrayed officers Detective Inspector Jack Regan and Detective Sergeant George Carter as tough, unpolished figures willing to bend rules to fight crime. With its candid language and rough-edged characters, the series attracted up to 19 million viewers per episode and gave rise to two feature films. John Stalker, a retired senior police officer, later noted that actual officers had begun to emulate the mannerisms of the show's characters, illustrating its real-world impact.

Kennedy Martin’s ambition was to reflect the growing challenges faced by police in London at the time, including drug offenses and armed robbery, which he felt were absent from earlier, more sanitized dramas like *Softly, Softly*. Despite the series’ success, Kennedy Martin left after just three episodes due to creative differences with the producer, Ted Childs.

Following *The Sweeney*, Kennedy Martin continued to influence the crime drama genre. In 1980, he created *Juliet Bravo*, one of the first British TV dramas to feature a female police officer in the lead role, focusing on issues such as institutional sexism. He also created *The Chinese Detective* (1981–82), which starred David Yip as the first Chinese lead character in a mainstream British police drama.

Kennedy Martin’s early life was marked by hardship. Born to Frank Martin, a toolmaker and war veteran, and Kathleen Flanagan, a teacher, he faced significant adversity after his mother died of breast cancer when he was 11. Struggling with severe asthma and dyslexia, as well as family poverty, he nonetheless pursued education at Trinity College Dublin before embarking on a career in television writing. His early work included scripts for series such as *The Saint*, *Colditz*, and *The Onedin Line*.

Known for his outspoken nature, Kennedy Martin was often critical of broadcasting institutions, describing ITV’s leadership as ruthless and unrefined and warning that the BBC was at risk of decline under government influence. His career spanned several decades, and in 2009 he debuted as a stage dramatist with *Berlin Hanover Express*, a World War II drama.

Kennedy Martin was married to Barbara Ohrbach since 1970 and is survived by their two children, Lucy and Daniel. He maintained a close relationship with his elder brother Troy Kennedy Martin, also a noted television writer, until Troy’s death in 2009.

Ian Kennedy Martin’s contributions helped redefine British police dramas and left a lasting legacy in the portrayal of law enforcement on screen.