Rob Grant, the visionary co-creator of the cult sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, has died suddenly at 70. His family confirmed the loss just days after he announced a new prequel novel.
Rob Grant, Who Built a Cult Classic With ‘Red Dwarf,’ Has Died (Image: File)
Rob Grant, co-creator of the cult sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, died suddenly on Wednesday at age 70, his family announced. The Salford-born writer, who dreamed up the show's last human survivor and holographic companions with partner Doug Naylor, left behind a legacy of laughter just days after revealing a new prequel novel.
Born in Salford, Greater Manchester, in September 1955, Rob Grant studied Psychology at Liverpool University, an education that would later inform the deeply character-driven humor he became known for . It was during the 1980s that he met his future writing partner, Doug Naylor. The pair began their careers working on various Radio 4 comedies, the satirical puppet show Spitting Image, and projects for the stand-up comedian Jasper Carrott . Their big break came while writing for the Radio 4 sketch show Son Of Cliché, where they created a character named "Dave Hollins: Space Cadet" . This character would evolve into the foundation of Red Dwarf.
Despite initial skepticism from a BBC executive who deemed the concept "too weird, too alien" and suggested they start with a sofa and French windows to make it relatable, Grant and Naylor persisted . They envisioned it as "Steptoe and Son in space"—a show about "really ordinary guys who could be in any workplace" . The series debuted on BBC Two on February 15, 1988, drawing 4.75 million viewers . It followed the last living human, Dave Lister (Craig Charles), and his mismatched companions: a hologram of his bunkmate Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), a lifeform that evolved from his pregnant cat (Danny John-Jules), and the sanitation droid Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) . By the time the final series of its original run ended in 1999, viewership had grown to 8 million .
The show tracked technician Dave Lister (Craig Charles), thawed after millions of years as the last human. He shared the mining ship with hologram Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), evolved Cat (Danny John-Jules), droid Kryten (Robert Llewellyn), and computer Holly (Norman Lovett). Grant and Naylor novelized it as "Grant Naylor."
Creative differences split the team in the 1990s. Grant later collaborated with screenwriter Andrew Marshall on books. Legal disputes over Red Dwarf rights dragged on for years, resolved in 2023, unlocking prequel possibilities after a court battle Grant likened to Bleak House versus Judge Judy.
Days before passing, Grant announced Red Dwarf: Titan, a prequel novel set for July with Marshall. It features Lister and Rimmer pre-accident on Titan in a parallel universe to stay canon-true. Originally a TV spin-off treatment shopped to streamers, it took 1.5 extra years amid rights issues.
Family shared the news with Ganymede & Titan: "With much sadness... passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon... a great loss to his family, friends and comedy fans." Craig Charles posted on X: "He was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. A visionary... RIP ROB." Tributes highlight his immeasurable impact.
Doug Naylor revealed in a 2023 Reddit Q&A that UKTV commissioned a 90-minute special; he was two-thirds through the script when they axed scripted comedy. Cast was on board, but the project halted months after greenlight.
A: February 15, 1988, on BBC Two, drawing 4.75 million viewers initially.
A: Dave Lister, Arnold Rimmer hologram, Cat, Kryten, and Holly.
A: Prequel with Lister and Rimmer before Titan shore leave accident, in a side universe.
A: UKTV stopped commissioning scripted comedy after Naylor wrote two-thirds of the script.
A: "One of the funniest... A visionary... The impact he and Doug had... is immeasurable."
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
