CJ Sansom dead: Author who inspired Disney TV series Shardlake dies aged 71 as tributes pour in
AUTHOR CJ Sansom has died at the age of 71, his publisher announced.
The writer is famous for creating the character of Matthew Shardlake.
He was the star of his historical mystery series set in the reign of Henry VIII in the 16th century.
The books have inspired a TV show which is set to air on Disney+ from next month.
It will star Arthur Huges as Matthew Shardlake and Sean Bean and Thomas Cromwell.
Tributes are now pouring in for the talented writer.
One fan wrote: “Such a tragic loss. CJ Sansom was one of the finest ever writers of historical fiction.
“He was an inspiration to me and to many others. We are poorer without him.”
Another added: “Very sad to hear of the passing of CJ Sansom, one of my favourite authors and a master of historical fiction.”
A third added: “Oh this is immensely sad. CJ Sansom was a titan. His Shardlake books – a long-anticipated adaptation of which starts this week on Disney+ – revolutionised the genre when they started in the mid-2000s.
“They remain the milestone by which all other historical fiction is judged. RIP.”