Catharine Cooke is a seasoned, award-winning television director. Her most recent critically acclaimed television series include ‘Reyka’ (2021), ‘The Girl from St. Agnes’ (2019) and ‘iNumber Number’ (2017), for South African network M-Net.

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She has several South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) nominations and three wins under her belt. In 2022, Catharine won the Safta for Best Achievement in Directing (TV Drama) for the thriller series ‘Reyka’, also known as ‘The Cane Field Killings’ in some countries. The series was nominated for an International Emmy Award for Best Drama in 2023. In 2017 she bagged the Safta for Best Achievement in Directing (TV Drama) for ‘iNumber Number’.

Catharine is currently working on Season 2 of ‘Reyka’, which is set to premiere on M-Net in late 2023.

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She has been named a co-director on upcoming South African crime thriller series ‘White Lies’, produced by M-Net, Quizzical Pictures and Fremantle, and set and shot in Cape Town. ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ star Natalie Dormer leads the cast. 'The Wound' and 'Manodrome' filmmaker John Trengove is lead director.

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Eclectic and flexible in style, Catharine loves to work on dynamic collaborative projects and is skilled at holding the creative vision throughout production. Her taste is for stories that push the boundaries of genre, and she has an innate talent for fast-paced action and dark drama that is both commercially and critically appealing.

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Driven by passion and quality execution, she seeks out fresh, unique narratives with well-constructed plots and populated by fully developed characters that demonstrate depth and complexity.

She is a socially skilled, natural leader who offers guidance and support to her creative team and crew, giving collaborators the space to bring their best to each project. Known for her open-minded approach, she directs with consideration and is open to incorporating ideas and creating a final product that showcases the talents of her crew. Because of this inclusiveness, she is well-loved for her ability to inspire others as she directs.

Catharine grew up in South Africa, on a farm close to the Kalahari Desert. She moved to Johannesburg and attained the prestigious BA (Dramatic Art) degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. In addition to directing, she is also a talented script editor, voice over artist and actress.

 

Credits

Reyka (2021)

TV Series

Director

4 episodes

 

The Girl from St. Agnes (2019)

TV Series

Director

5 episodes

 

iNumber Number (2017)

TV Series

Director

4 episodes

 

Legacy (2020)

TV Series

Director

1 episode

 

Bedford Wives (2017)

TV Series

Director

2017

 

Swartwater (2014)

TV Series

Director

7 episodes

 

Jamillah and Aladdin (2015)

TV Series

Director

13 episodes

 

Geraamtes in die Kas (2013)

TV Series

Director

 

Intersexions (2010)

TV Series

Director

 

4Play: Sex Tips for Girls (2010)

TV Series

Director

2010