Anthony Steven started his career as a reporter on the Oxford Mail. Later he was discovered by John Grierson (Founder of the Crown film unit and pioneer of the documentary film as we know it today) who hired him as a writer.

In 1957 Steven joined the BBC. A prolific writer, he wrote many television serials over a period of thirty years. Some of his scripts were original but many were adaptations of notable classical novels, including several episodes of The Forsyte Saga.

Steven's relationship with the BBC ended when he was abruptly sacked. Steven had put his name on the script of a friend who had been turned down repeatedly by the BBC. His friend was penniless, but with Steven's name attached, the script went into production and the struggling writer was paid some much needed money. Unfortunately, Steven told this to a fellow colleague who reported him to senior management. That same afternoon, Steven was informed that his services at the BBC would no longer be required.

Steven went to work for ITV instead, but would later return to the BBC.

Anthony Steven did not always deliver his scripts on time and certainly exhasperated his editors. Considering he refused to use an electric typewriter, it is therefore unlikely that his machine ever “blew up” but it did sometimes break down. The large quantities of cigarette ash that fell into the works sometimes caused it to jam. His son used a combination of metholated spirits and a vacuum cleaner to suck it out.

Anthony Steven was also a noted raconteur. His outrageous stories, based much on his own life, are fondly remembered by those who heard them.