Director

Bio
Catharine Cooke is a seasoned, award-winning television director. Her most recent critically acclaimed television series include 'White Lies' (2024) ‘Reyka Season 1’ (2021), Reyka Season 2 (2023), ‘The Girl from St. Agnes’ (2019) amongst other series and tv shows for South African and International platforms
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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 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.
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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
Summertide Season 2 (2024)
TV Series
Lead Director
13 Eps
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White Lies (2023 -2024)
International Co-production (Mnet/Freemantle)
TV Series
Director
2 Eps
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#Miseducation (2023)
TV Series
Lead Director
2 Eps
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Reyka Season 2 (2023)
International Co-production (Mnet/Freemantle)
TV Series
Lead Director
4 Eps
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Reyka (2021)
International Co-production (Mnet/Freemantle)
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