David Leland death: Liam Neeson and Tim Roth lead tributes to writer and director

British director was surrounded by family when he died on Christmas Eve, his long-time agency announced

(Getty Images)

David Leland, the British writer and director behind shows including Band of Brothers and The Borgias, has died aged 82.

Leland was surrounded by family when he died on Christmas Eve, his longtime agency, Cassaroto Ramsay & Associates announced. The cause of his death has yet to be disclosed.

Following the news, a number of Leland’s friends and former collaborators paid tribute, including actors Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan and Tim Roth.

“David Leland holds a mighty place in my heart. I was just out of Drama Centre where David was also an alumni,” Brosnan said in a tribute per Deadline. “It was the thrill of my young lifetime to be cast as McCabe, working with David and Tennessee. David will forever be an essential part of my story and of all who knew and loved him.”

Neeson, who starred in Leland’s The Big Man, also paid tribute, writing: “David was a dream to work with.”

Praising him as a “real collaborator”, Neeson added: “He genuinely loved and admired actors. We formed a close bond. I loved his mischievous sense of humour. You are always in my heart old friend. See you down the road.”

Roth said: “David was there at the very beginning of this crazy adventure. He changed my life, and I love him for it. I’ll keep him with me always.”

David Leland (Getty Images)

Born in 1941 in Cambridge, Leland rose to international fame with his 1987 directorial debut Wish You Were Here, a comedy-drama starring Emily Lloyd. The film – about a woman whose pregnancy by her father’s much older friend causes scandal in her community – won Leland a Bafta for Best Original Screenplay.

Before becoming known for his work behind the camera, Leland attended the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where he trained as an actor. There, he and a group of teachers and students eventually broke away and formed the Drama Centre London. After obtaining many stage credits, he went on to pursue stage management and direction at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

He later went into TV and film screenwriting, working on films such as the Roth-starring Made in Britain (1982), Mike Newell’s Birth of a Nation (1983) and Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa (1986). Leland also served as a co-showrunner for Showtimes’ three-season drama The Borgias.

Leland is survived by his wife, son, four daughters and six grandchildren.