Actress Arlene (4)
I believe the answer is:
dahl
'actress arlene' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for dahl that I've seen before include "Roald -, British writer" , "Roald or Sophie?" , "British writer of many children's books, d. 1990" , "James and the Giant Peach author" , "British author, notably of children's books, d.1990" .)