Central BID Birmingham is bringing a new free exhibition to the city centre this autumn, celebrating Birmingham-raised, world-renowned author Lee Child and his legendary creation Jack Reacher.

Opening 4 November at Grand Central, Lee Child: Creating Reacher will give fans an exclusive look inside the mind of one of the world’s best-selling writers.

Commissioned by Central BID Birmingham and curated by art historian Ruth Millington, the exhibition will showcase rare, never-before-seen material from Child’s personal archive and the Lee Child Archive. Highlights include handwritten drafts, private photographs, book covers and fan mail, all with the author’s direct involvement.

Born James Grant in Handsworth Wood, Lee Child rose from local beginnings to global fame with his blockbuster Reacher novels, which inspired Hollywood films starring Tom Cruise and the hit Amazon Prime TV series featuring Alan Ritchson. A life-size cut out of Ritchson, measuring 6’3, will present a selfie opportunity for Reacher fans.

Child’s 30th novel, Exit Strategy, launches on the same day the exhibition opens, making this a true Birmingham homecoming for the author, who will be present and signing books on that day.

Lee Child: Creating Reacher opens at Grand Central, above New Street Station, from 4 November. Free to visit.

The exhibition has been produced and funded by Central BID Birmingham and curated by Ruth Millington and designed by Matt Smith Design. The exhibition has been made possible thanks to the following partners: Heather Martin, author of The Reacher Guy, Penguin Random House, Transworld, and the Lee Child Archive at UEA, Bullring Birmingham / Hammerson.