British director Justin Hardy, known for his work on the Wicker Man legacy, has died following a heart attack.
Key facts
- •Justin Hardy died at age 61 after suffering a heart attack.
- •He was a Bafta and Emmy-nominated filmmaker.
- •His final film, Wrath of the Gods, was set to premiere in London later this month.
- •He is survived by his wife, Larissa, and their four children.
- •Hardy previously directed the 2024 documentary Children of the Wicker Man.
British filmmaker Justin Hardy has died at the age of 61 following a heart attack on Friday night. A Bafta and Emmy-nominated writer and director, Hardy was the son of Robin Hardy, the director of the 1973 cult horror film The Wicker Man.
Career and final project
Hardy recently completed Wrath of the Gods, a film intended as the final chapter of The Wicker Man trilogy. The project was inspired by scripts and storyboards left by his father and was scheduled to premiere in London later this month. In 2024, he also directed the documentary Children of the Wicker Man alongside his brother, Dominic. Throughout his career, Hardy directed various historical films and documentaries for broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4, and CNN. His credits include Princes In The Tower, Trafalgar Battle Surgeon, and Spanish Flu: The Forgotten Fallen. Additionally, he served as a screenwriting instructor at University College London.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Entertainment & Arts.
