About Matthew Wortman
I began in documentaries, which shaped my approach to drama with a strong sense of realism. My early true-story dramas offered fresh takes on major historical events, using a loose, improvisational style to draw out authentic, powerful performances and immerse the audience in the moment.
I moved into fantasy drama, specialising in ‘world building’ using unreal engine Most recently, I directed on RISE OF THE WITCHES for MBC, a sweeping Arabian fantasy epic often called the Middle East’s Game of Thrones. I oversaw special effects, directed stunt work, and led VFX teams on ambitious sequences—from desert battles to aerial combat.
My latest directing project, INSIDE THE HEIST for Discovery, combined virtual production, VFX, and first-hand criminal accounts to reconstruct some of history’s most daring robberies—blending cinematic drama with forensic storytelling.
I cut my teeth making factual programming and documentaries. That foundation shaped my approach to drama—infusing it with a heightened realism. My early ‘true story’ dramas brought fresh perspectives to key historical events. I aim to place the audience right inside the moment, using a loose, improvisational style that draws powerful, authentic performances from real people.
From there, I moved into fantasy drama, leading large-scale productions with green screen, SFX, and VFX. I specialise in world-building. Most recently, I directed on RISE OF THE WITCHES for MBC—a sweeping Arabian fantasy epic often described as the Middle East’s Game of Thrones. I oversaw special effects, directed complex action, and led VFX teams across ambitious sequences, from desert warfare to aerial combat.
My latest directing project, INSIDE THE HEIST for Discovery, combined virtual production, VFX, and first-hand criminal accounts to reconstruct some of history’s most daring robberies—blending cinematic drama with forensic storytelling.
Matthew’s track record for strong visionary direction includes a number of action adventure docudramas for Animal Planet’s inc FATAL ATTRACTIONS – one of their most successful series. SITUATION CRITICAL for Nat Geo was a hard-cutting, eye-witness docudrama series exploring some of the most gripping stories of the day.
Matthew Wortman recently directed TV movie: WHAT THE DAMBUSTERS DID NEXT for Ch5/Nat Geo reconstructing the secret missions of the Dambuster bombing raids.
Matthew’s other high-profile credits include SKY’s 3D film – STORM CITY. A flagship series to relaunch SKYs 3D channel. In 2019 Matthew created TV series format ‘CAR CREWS’ with SUPERCAR BLONDIE – turning Alex Hirsch one of the world’s biggest social media stars, into a hugely successful youthful brand. ‘Car Crews’ charts Alex’s journey in search of the drive tribes of America.
Matthew Wortman is currently preparing to direct his first independently financed feature film: FRONTIER: The Fight for the Amazon – Those fighting to save it and those fighting to take it. The battle for Brazil’s interior is a modern day, epic, western cowboy movie. This is a tense action-packed environmental drama. Matthew Wortman believes this frontier story of Brazil’s interior is one of the most engrossing epic tales of our time.
About Matthew Wortman
I cut my teeth making factual programming and documentaries. That foundation shaped my approach to drama—infusing it with a heightened realism. My early ‘true story’ dramas brought fresh perspectives to key historical events. I aim to place the audience right inside the moment, using a loose, improvisational style that draws powerful, authentic performances from real people.
From there, I moved into fantasy drama, leading large-scale productions with green screen, SFX, and VFX. I specialise in world-building. Most recently, I directed on RISE OF THE WITCHES for MBC—a sweeping Arabian fantasy epic often described as the Middle East’s Game of Thrones. I oversaw special effects, directed complex action, and led VFX teams across ambitious sequences, from desert warfare to aerial combat.
My latest directing project, INSIDE THE HEIST for Discovery, combined virtual production, VFX, and first-hand criminal accounts to reconstruct some of history’s most daring robberies—blending cinematic drama with forensic storytelling.
Matthew’s track record for strong visionary direction includes a number of action adventure docudramas for Animal Planet’s inc FATAL ATTRACTIONS – one of their most successful series. SITUATION CRITICAL for Nat Geo was a hard-cutting, eye-witness docudrama series exploring some of the most gripping stories of the day.
Matthew Wortman recently directed TV movie: WHAT THE DAMBUSTERS DID NEXT for Ch5/Nat Geo reconstructing the secret missions of the Dambuster bombing raids.
Matthew’s other high-profile credits include SKY’s 3D film – STORM CITY. A flagship series to relaunch SKYs 3D channel. In 2019 Matthew created TV series format ‘CAR CREWS’ with SUPERCAR BLONDIE – turning Alex Hirsch one of the world’s biggest social media stars, into a hugely successful youthful brand. ‘Car Crews’ charts Alex’s journey in search of the drive tribes of America.
Matthew Wortman is currently preparing to direct his first independently financed feature film: FRONTIER: The Fight for the Amazon – Those fighting to save it and those fighting to take it. The battle for Brazil’s interior is a modern day, epic, western cowboy movie. This is a tense action-packed environmental drama. Matthew Wortman believes this frontier story of Brazil’s interior is one of the most engrossing epic tales of our time.
Showrunner / Producer / Director
Specialist in Premium Drama and documentary series
Whether it’s a high-stakes heist, an ancient assassination, or a pioneering science experiment, I bring deep storytelling instincts, technical innovation, and international production experience to every frame.
Projects I’ve worked on have been recognised with EMMY, Grierson, RTS, and BAFTA nominations and awards.
Rise of the Witches (MBC)
Directed three episodes of this epic fantasy drama—dubbed the Middle Eastern Game of Thrones—telling the gripping tale of a brutal war between rival witches.
The Spy from Moscow (BBC One)
Directed and wrote this gripping factual drama revealing the true story of Oleg Penkovsky, the Cold War’s most influential double agent. Set during the tense days of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the film exposed how Penkovsky shaped global history. Widely regarded as a breakout role for Mark Bonnar, now one of the UK’s most acclaimed drama actors.
Surviving Disaster (BBC)
Series Director and Scriptwriter for this BAFTA-winning factual drama series. Notably helmed the powerful episode “Munich Air Crash”, which recreated the tragic 1958 disaster that claimed the lives of eight Manchester United players, known as the Busby Babes. The series blended historical accuracy with emotional storytelling to honour real-life events.
Nefertiti Resurrected (Discovery)
One of Discovery’s most talked-about—and controversial—films. Exploring the mysteries of Egypt’s most enigmatic queen, the documentary was widely praised:
“Ground-breaking” – The Sunday Times
“Visually spectacular storytelling” – USA Today
Situation Critical (National Geographic)
Directed high-intensity re-enactments of large-scale events, including a full-blown Taliban uprising, for Nat Geo’s acclaimed eyewitness drama series.
My strength lies in unearthing hidden layers of true crime stories—reconstructing crime scenes in forensic detail through archive, testimony, and visual storytelling.
Inside the Heist (Discovery)
Senior Producer on this hybrid drama-doc, using Virtual Production and VFX-led reconstructions, exclusive criminal interviews, and rare police archive to unravel the world’s most audacious bank robberies.
Murder in Paradise (Channel 4)
Uncovered a completely new angle in the unsolved murder of Sir Harry Oakes—one of the 20th century’s most baffling crimes.
Who Killed Julius Caesar? (Nat Geo/C5)
Produced this unique take on Caesar’s assassination as a true crime case. With leading forensic experts and FBI profilers, we re-staged the murder and reached a bold conclusion: “suicide by cop.”
Invisible Worlds (BBC)
BAFTA and RTS award-winning series, celebrated for visual innovation. We adapted cutting-edge technologies—SEM microscopes, X-ray, UV, gas and infrared imaging—to reveal the hidden world, often in dangerous and remote conditions.
“Visually stunning… a perfect balance of beauty and science.” — The Economist
Storm City (Sky 3D)
Director of this flagship 3D science series with Ben Fogle. From triggering avalanches to transforming Ben into a ‘living ice sculpture’ in a subantarctic climate chamber, the series combined cinematic stunts with complex scientific storytelling.
The Hunt for the Kaiser’s Superfleet (Smithsonian Channel)
Creator and Director of this 90-minute special revealing the discovery of the long-lost WWI German battleship SMS Scharnhorst, sunk off the Falklands in 1914. The documentary marked the vessel’s identification for the first time and delivered Smithsonian’s highest-ever ratings.
Scripted & Drama Highlights
Rise of the Witches (MBC)
Directed three episodes of this epic fantasy drama—dubbed the Middle Eastern Game of Thrones—telling the gripping tale of a brutal war between rival witches.
The Spy from Moscow (BBC One)
Directed and wrote this gripping factual drama revealing the true story of Oleg Penkovsky, the Cold War’s most influential double agent. Set during the tense days of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the film exposed how Penkovsky shaped global history. Widely regarded as a breakout role for Mark Bonnar, now one of the UK’s most acclaimed drama actors.
Surviving Disaster (BBC)
Series Director and Scriptwriter for this BAFTA-winning factual drama series. Notably helmed the powerful episode “Munich Air Crash”, which recreated the tragic 1958 disaster that claimed the lives of eight Manchester United players, known as the Busby Babes. The series blended historical accuracy with emotional storytelling to honour real-life events.
Nefertiti Resurrected (Discovery)
One of Discovery’s most talked-about—and controversial—films. Exploring the mysteries of Egypt’s most enigmatic queen, the documentary was widely praised:
“Ground-breaking” – The Sunday Times
“Visually spectacular storytelling” – USA Today
Situation Critical (National Geographic)
Directed high-intensity re-enactments of large-scale events, including a full-blown Taliban uprising, for Nat Geo’s acclaimed eyewitness drama series.
Crime & Forensic Reconstruction
My strength lies in uncovering fresh perspectives on complex crimes and reconstructing events with forensic precision. I blend archive, footage, and stills to create seamless, visually compelling narratives that piece together every angle of the story.
Inside the Heist (Discovery)
Senior Producer on this hybrid drama-doc, using Virtual Production and VFX-led reconstructions, exclusive criminal interviews, and rare police archive to unravel the world’s most audacious bank robberies.
Murder in Paradise (Channel 4)
Uncovered a completely new angle in the unsolved murder of Sir Harry Oakes—one of the 20th century’s most baffling crimes.
Who Killed Julius Caesar? (Nat Geo/C5)
With CGI teams, we recreated ancient worlds of Rome in the REVEALED series (for Channel Five/ Nat Geo) an in-depth biopic of Caesars last days ‘WHO KILLED JULIUS CAESAR’.
I produced this unique take on Caesar’s assassination as a true crime case. With leading forensic experts and FBI profilers, we re-staged the murder and reached a bold conclusion: “suicide by cop.”
Science & Engineering
PURE GENIUS
In 2021, Richard Hammond and Channel 4 enlisted me to collaborate with Instagram talent Dr. Shini Somara on ‘Wow facts’ Science Demos for the populist Science series ‘PURE GENIUS,’ TV’s most unconventional engineering show. The series showcases teams competing to build inventive machines from everyday objects.
Invisible Worlds (BBC)
BAFTA and RTS award-winning series, celebrated for visual innovation. We adapted cutting-edge technologies—SEM microscopes, X-ray, UV, gas and infrared imaging—to reveal the hidden world, often in dangerous and remote conditions.
“Visually stunning… a perfect balance of beauty and science.” — The Economist
Storm City (Sky 3D)
Director of this flagship 3D science series with Ben Fogle. From triggering avalanches to transforming Ben into a ‘living ice sculpture’ in a subantarctic climate chamber, the series combined cinematic stunts with complex scientific storytelling.
PROJECT EARTH – HUNGRY OCEANS (Discovery)
Feb 2008, I directed PROJECT EARTH – HUNGRY OCEANS – one of DISCOVERYS’ biggest ever Action/Adventure/ commissions: a $10-million series exploring huge geo-engineering experiments to combat global warming. I coordinated international crews and teams of top scientists, ensuring we successfully complete a number of huge prototype experiments to reverse climate change.
History & Archaeology
The Hunt for the Kaiser’s Superfleet (Smithsonian Channel)
Creator and Director of this 90-minute special revealing the discovery of the long-lost WWI German battleship SMS Scharnhorst, sunk off the Falklands in 1914. The documentary marked the vessel’s identification for the first time and delivered Smithsonian’s highest-ever ratings.
LOST SHIPS (Discovery)
Series produced/Directed this 9-part adventure archaeological series for Discovery, of dangerous deep-sea excavations films of the some of the world’s most spectacular shipwrecks.
SITUATION CRITICAL (Nat Geo)
For Nat Geo’s SITUATION CRITICAL, I created an immersive history series from an eyewitness perspective, re-enacting a Taliban uprising shot in a castle in Essex.
What the Dambusters Did Next (Nat Geo/Channel 5)
Directed this Nat Geo/Channel 5 feature doc, exploring the legacy of RAF’s legendary 617 Squadron, including the search for their last Lancaster bomber lost in the Arctic.
See more clips and full show-reel:
Please get in touch to discuss project opportunities.
Portfolio
- All
- Crime
- Documentaries
- Drama
- Social Media
Inside the Heist
Nefertiti Resurrected
Nuclear Secrets: The Spy From Moscow
Supercar Blondie
Science & Engineering
Surviving Disaster: Munich Air Crash
Surviving Disaster: Eruption at Mount St.Helens
Big Bear Rescue with Jimmy Doherty
Social Media Campaigns
Fatal Attractions
Days That Shook The World
