Neil Cross Quotes

Powerful Neil Cross for Daily Growth

About Neil Cross

Neil Cross is a renowned British screenwriter and producer, best known for his work on the critically acclaimed television series "Luther" and "The Night Manager." Born in London, England in 1974, Cross grew up in a family deeply rooted in the arts; his mother was an actress, and his father was a musician. This early exposure to creative fields ignited Cross's passion for storytelling. After graduating from Oxford University with a degree in English Literature, Cross began his career as a journalist, writing for publications like The Times and The Guardian. However, it wasn't until he moved into television that he found his true calling. His early works include "The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot" (2003), a parody of the Doctor Who series, and "Merlin" (2008-2012), a fantasy drama about the young years of King Arthur's magician. In 2010, Cross created "Luther," a gripping crime drama starring Idris Elba as the complex, troubled detective John Luther. The series was a massive success, earning numerous awards and critical acclaim. In 2016, Cross adapted John le Carré's novel "The Night Manager" for television, once again demonstrating his prowess in adapting complex literary works for the small screen. Cross's work is characterized by intricate plots, strong character development, and a keen eye for the human condition. His stories often explore themes of morality, justice, and the struggle between good and evil. Cross continues to write and produce, leaving an indelible mark on British television with his compelling narratives and unforgettable characters.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Fear is a good barometer for how much you care."

Neil Cross' quote, "Fear is a good barometer for how much you care," suggests that the intensity of fear one experiences often mirrors the depth of their emotional investment or concern in a particular situation. In other words, if something matters deeply to us, it can provoke fear because we are vulnerable and exposed when we care deeply. This quote encourages us to embrace our fears as indicators of our passion and commitment to the things that truly matter to us.


"There's no such thing as an original idea – just less obvious ones."

This quote suggests that all ideas are essentially derived from a pool of shared human knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. The originality of an idea often lies not in its inherent novelty but rather in the unique perspective or combination of existing elements that the creator brings to it. In other words, while no idea is truly "original," one can still create something fresh and valuable by exploring less obvious connections and approaches to well-trodden concepts.


"We are not passive observers of our own lives."

The quote by Neil Cross, "We are not passive observers of our own lives," underscores the active role individuals play in shaping their own experiences. It encourages us to recognize that we have a hand in determining how we navigate through life, rather than merely reacting to circumstances as they unfold. This perspective highlights the importance of self-awareness and personal agency, inspiring us to take control of our lives and actively create the stories we wish to tell about ourselves.


"I can't say I was born with the sense that I was going to write for television, but it was always in me to want to tell stories."

Neil Cross acknowledges that he wasn't explicitly aware from birth that he would become a TV writer, yet he had an innate desire within him to narrate stories. This statement suggests that his passion for storytelling was inherent, which eventually led him to a career in television writing. It underscores the idea that creative drive and potential are often deeply rooted within individuals, waiting to be discovered or cultivated over time.


"The only real way to know if an idea works is to put it on screen and see if it survives."

This quote emphasizes that the ultimate test for an idea, particularly in creative fields like filmmaking, is its execution. Theorizing or brainstorming is important, but the true proof of concept comes when the idea is translated into a tangible form (a screenplay, a movie, etc.) and then exposed to the audience. It suggests that only through real-world application can we determine if an idea has the resilience and value needed for success.


I had a complicated life until I was 25. I was born in Bristol and was brought up by my mum and my stepfather in Edinburgh. He introduced me to books.

- Neil Cross

I Was Born, Brought, Mum, Stepfather

The fictional character with whom I most profoundly identified was Yossarian in Catch-22. Always did, still do.

- Neil Cross

Character, Always, Most, Fictional

To kind of go through life not caring is a spectacular attribute. It's one I wish I had.

- Neil Cross

Kind, Through, I Wish, Spectacular

It's perceived as an accolade to be published as a 'literary' writer, but, actually, it's pompous and it's fake. Literary fiction is often nothing more than a genre in itself.

- Neil Cross

More, Fiction, Literary, Fake

I'd always read omnivorously and often thought much literary fiction is read by young men and women in their 20s as substitutes for experience.

- Neil Cross

Thought, Always, Read, Substitutes

I was writing novels at eight. It was a science fiction epic, which went by the unimprovable title of 'Another Kind of Warrior.' I'd write it beginning to end, but when I'd finished it, I was another year older. The quality of writing and thought changed radically, so I'd start it again. I re-wrote that same book until I was 16.

- Neil Cross

Beginning, Thought, Fiction, Science Fiction

I don't get on with novelists, don't enjoy their company. Once you've worked for a publisher, you understand the species, see them in their natural habitat, and it's not always pretty.

- Neil Cross

Pretty, Always, Novelists, Publisher

People often express surprise that I'm not a psychopath. But it's not about what I want to do to other people, it's that I'm scared of what other people might do to me.

- Neil Cross

Surprise, Other, Might, Scared

I am very interested in theology. In fact, my first degree was in theology, so it's something that interests me greatly.

- Neil Cross

Fact, Degree, Very, Greatly

I wrote 'Mr. In-Between' very quickly when I was about 23. I wrote the penultimate chapter, then realised I'd done something which was written to the best of my abilities. I panicked. I hesitated to finish the final chapter and went into withdrawal for three years. I decided to pick it up again after I went drinking with author Tim Binding.

- Neil Cross

Chapter, Very, Quickly, In-Between

The thematic bucket of vomit that I've been chained to since I was about 9 is the moral complexity of anti-heroism. I have always been interested in good people who do bad things for understandable reasons.

- Neil Cross

Always, Been, Complexity, Vomit

I love ghost stories, and I also have a great fondness and love for 'Quatermass,' which in many ways is the show that preceded 'Doctor Who.' 'Doctor Who' borrowed quite a bit from 'Quatermass' and probably wouldn't have existed in anything like the form we recognise today if 'Quatermass' hadn't come before it.

- Neil Cross

Love, Show, Before, Ghost

'Luther' is absolutely a monster-of-the-week show. Although it's post-watershed and is rendered in intense graphic novel-style images, it's inspiration is not that different from 'Doctor Who' as in both cases you've got a trickster figure who fights the monster of the week and is eventually successful.

- Neil Cross

Week, Show, Eventually, Luther

What I love about Indiana Jones is he always bites off slightly more than he can chew. The guy he's fighting is always slightly tougher than he is, but he just refuses to give up. And that's what makes Indiana Jones a hero: not his superpowers, but his refusal to be beaten.

- Neil Cross

Love, Superpowers, Slightly, Indiana

Writing a novel is an intense and lonely business, but you have the reward at the end of a very direct dialogue between you and the reader.

- Neil Cross

Business, Reward, Very, Intense

I love to see heroes who fuel some kind of moral furnace inside them, who are driven to take on the evils of the world, despite the fact that the evils of the world are more powerful than them. And essentially can never be defeated, but they refuse to bow down. And in order to enjoy that aspect of the hero, you've got to put them through hell.

- Neil Cross

Love, Through, Some, Bow

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.