Famous for his Somerset Maugham Award-winning debut novel My Life Closed Twice and for his BAFTA-winning television adaptation of William Horwood's novel Skallagrigg, Williams is also notable for his Emmy-nominated teleplay for the Elizabeth I miniseries (starring Helen Mirren). He attended Oriel College, Oxford University; produced his first play, Marbles, in 1974; and published his debut novel, My Life Closed Twice, in 1977.
