Acclaimed actors are heading to Whitby Lit Fest this autumn adding star quality to the literary line-up.
Joining Miriam Margolyes, who was already announced as a featured guest, are Greta Scaachi and Ace Bhatti.
Greta Scacchi will take centre stage in Books of My Life – where she’ll discuss the books behind her iconic acting roles.
Born in Milan, Greta Scaachi was catapulted to stardom at the age of 22 in Merchant Ivory’s Heat and Dust – based on the Booker prize winning novel by Ruth Prater Jhabvala. In a 40-year career, Scacchi has acted in well over 50 films, plays and TV productions all over the world.
She’ll be in conversation with the crime-writer Peter Guttridge about her experiences of playing in these adaptations and numerous others that followed ranging from Austen, Waugh, Dumas and Tolstoy to Michael Tolkein (The Player), Scott Turow (Presumed Innocent), Simenon, Agatha Christie and even The Bible.
The award-winning crime-writer Peter Guttridge has interviewed on stage hundreds of writers at book festivals large and small. He co-founded Books By The Beach in Scarborough in 2014.
Greta Scaachi said: “Books have been part of my life, all my life, but have played an important part in my acting career. I look forward to discussing all with my long-time friend and Whitby interlocutor, the crime author, Peter Guttridge.”
Scaachi will also join Ace Bhatti on stage to read letters from James Bailey’s book, The Meaning of Life: Letters from Extraordinary People and their Answer to Life’s Biggest Question.
Ace Bhatti is known for his roles on series including Cardiac Arrest, EastEnders, Coronation Street, Holby City, Holding On, and Band of Gold, and hit dramas including the BBC’s Line of Duty, and feature films including Bohemian Rhapsody and Bend It Like Beckham.
The Meaning of Life was the result of writer James Bailey (pictured) being inspired by a 1930’s project by the philosopher Will Durant. Durant wrote to presidents, Nobel prize winners, psychologists, poets, and scientists asking for their take on the meaning of life. James decided to repeat the experiment when he was unemployed, heartbroken, and questioning his purpose on the planet.
James will also be in conversation with Joshua Fletcher – one of the extraordinary people who wrote back to James for the book.
Psychotherapist and author, Joshua’s expertise in understanding what makes us tick has seen him amass over 300,000 followers on TikTok. His latest bestselling book is And How Does That Make You Feel? Everything You (N)ever Wanted to Know About Therapy.
James Bailey said: “I can’t wait to welcome audiences in what promises to be an illuminating, moving, funny, and fascinating evening, with two remarkable actors reading a selection of letters on stage. I hope people will feel they’ll leave with some insightful and inspired answers to the biggest question we have, which can help frame our days on Earth.”
Ace Bhatti will also take part in Shaun Usher’s Diaries of Note event with Miriam Margolyes.
Appearances are subject to filming availability.
More than 60 authors will take part in venues across the coastal town from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 November. Featured authors include Lee Child, Rob Rinder, Sir Alan Aykbourn, Steph McGovern, Shaun Usher, Yvette Fielding, Rob Cowen, Emma Carroll.
Whitby Lit Fest celebrates storytelling in all its forms—bringing together authors, playwrights, poets, and readers for a long weekend of events, conversations, and performances.
Whitby Lit Fest – Inspired by and Celebrating Whitby
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Notes to Editors
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Previous Press Releases:
Whitby Lit Fest Announce Inaugural Programme | Cause UK
About Whitby Lit Fest
Whitby Lit Fest takes place 6–9 November 2025 at venues across Whitby.
Whitby Lit Fest exists to celebrate Whitby’s literary heritage; to connect readers with contemporary authors and poets; and to inspire residents and visitors alike.
The event is an initiative by the Whitby community, with a steering committee of local businesses The Whitby Bookshop and Hetty & Betty, alongside North Yorkshire Council Libraries, Visit North Yorkshire, and English Heritage, who look after Whitby Abbey, with support from Cause UK Public Relations and Hello Technology.