My work with actors and powerful performances gained early attention on THE BUSBY BABES STORY, which picked up a number of awards.
Over the last decade, my work has received EMMY, Grierson, RTS and BAFTA nominations and awards. Broadcasters of my films include BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, Channel 5, National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet, NBC and Netflix. But in all sincerity it’s just the beginning. I’ve got the same passion that I’ve ever had, the best is yet to come!
Whether for serious drama, comedy or coaxing amazing performances from real people, Matthew’s experience as a commercial director puts his production values head and shoulders above most, even with restricted budgets. His improvisational directing style with actors gained early attention on the Busby Babes story – Surviving Disaster: Munich Air Crash, which picked up a number of awards.
Award winning
director & producer
I cut my teeth making factual programming and documentaries, before specialising in writing and directing ‘true story’ dramas. Documentary film making gave me a sixth sense for what’s about to happen and what’s important in the frame, to interpret what’s in front of you. I brought these disciplines to directing drama, to work instinctively and use a loose improvisational style to coax spontaneous performances, that makes characters come alive on the screen.
I bring to my work attention to detail, visual flair, and I work hard to infuse my drama with a heightened-realism not often found in period re-construction. I always look for a fresh perspective to momentous historical events, and at the same time achieve the highest possible production values, even with restricted budgets.
My work with actors and powerful performances gained early attention on THE BUSBY BABES STORY, which picked up a number of awards.
Over the last decade, my work has received EMMY, Grierson, RTS and BAFTA nominations and awards. Broadcasters of my films include BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, Channel 5, National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet, NBC and Netflix. But in all sincerity it’s just the beginning. I’ve got the same passion that I’ve ever had, the best is yet to come!
For the last twenty five years Matthew Wortman has been working as a TV director for many of the top international broadcasters. He specialises in writing and directing ‘true story’ dramas, notably period films and factual drama, bringing original perspective to momentous historical events.
Matthew’s directing style is unique and powerful – infusing drama with a heightened-realism not often found in period re-construction. By using a loose improvisational style, his work often brings a spontaneous, even dangerous feel to make characters come alive on the screen.
Whether for serious drama, comedy or coaxing amazing performances from real people, Matthew’s experience as a commercial director puts his production values head and shoulders above most, even with restricted budgets. His improvisational directing style with actors gained early attention on the Busby Babes story – Surviving Disaster: Munich Air Crash, which picked up a number of awards.
“Visually stunning…. he captures reality in a way that makes you feel you were there”
Daily Mail
“Really powerful…….Earth shattering TV – the best I’ve seen in a long while.”
Fay Weldon on Radio 4 Front Row
“Visually spectacular storytelling”
USA Today
“Ground-breaking film”
Sunday Times
“A superior piece of drama …gripping.”
Financial Times
Featured Work
Rise of the Witches - Two Witches at War
Rise of the Witches - Two Witches at War
Rise of the Witches - Young Sorcerer
Rise of the Witches - Young Sorcerer
Rise of the Witches - Filming in Babylon Street
Rise of the Witches - on set of the Djinn Worlds
Rise of the Witches - NEON STUDIOS
Rise of the Witches - NEON STUDIOS
Rise of the Witches - Amazing desert locations
Rise of the Witches - Filming Tribesmen of Tabuk
Rise of the Witches - Filming Tribesmen of Tabuk
Rise of the Witches - Filming Tribesmen of Tabuk
Rise of the Witches
I was lucky enough to direct 3 episodes (8/9/10) on RISE OF THE WITCHES – MBC’s biggest ever fantasy drama series.
Set in ancient Arabia, it tells of an epic war between two rival witches, a world populated by demons and wizards and all sorts of fairy-tale spirits.
RISE OF THE WITCHES is like an Arabian ‘Game of Thrones’ with huge special effects budget to create the kingdoms like the fantastical floating palace of the jinns.
Filmed in Saudi Arabia – at the $500bn studios complex at NEON in Tabuk where they’ve built sets of the ancient streets and houses of Babylon. Tabuk has also beautiful desert locations & remarkable tribesmen.
