Richards wrote many episodes of the BBC One spy drama between Series 2-8, including the death of Ros Myers in the Series 8 finale.

Asked whether he’d like to return to writing for the show, he told CultBox: “I’d never say never to Spooks – it was the show I learnt to write on and I love it. I didn’t write for the last series. I really do miss it.”

He continued: “Series 10 is about to go into production now I think, but it all depends on what happens with the show after that, which isn’t decided yet.”

Spooks launched in May 2002 and 80 episodes have aired to date. A tenth series has been commissioned and is expected to air this Autumn.

Richards added: “Spooks was completely hammered when it first came out and I think it’s now really defined British television across the past decade. It’s one of the best representations of what British television can do.”

The first episode of Outcasts aired on BBC One on Monday.