Writer/director Amanda Brotchie, whose credits include Lowdown, Doctor Who, Gentleman Jack and Riot Women, has died.
Writer/director Amanda Brotchie, whose credits include Lowdown, picnic on hanging rock, Doctor Who, Gentleman Jack and the recently launched Riot womenhas died.
Husband and frequent collaborator, actor/writer Adam Zwar, has confirmed that she has passed away after a long battle with cancer.
“When I first met Amanda, we talked for hours. I assumed she was just one of those remarkable people who could get along with anyone. I was right. She did. But it turns out she liked talking to me too,” he wrote on Instagram.
“We had 23 wonderful years together. I would do anything to come back from one of those years one day.
“My beautiful girl, I will miss your love, your cheerful laugh, your sense of adventure and your courage. You never met a spider or snake you didn’t like, always gently guiding them out while I huddled in the corner. You cooked as you wrote and directed – with perfect balance, effortlessness and a lightness of touch. I will miss your dhal, your roast chicken, your chilli con carne, your chocolate mousse. I will miss Sunday mornings on the sofa, eating pancakes and watching Insiders.
“You were right, I had to make this about me. Goodbye beautiful. You left the world feeling better. But right now it feels so much sadder.”
Amanda’s career as a television director began Neighbors in the late 1990s, at a time when Australian television had yet to fully embrace female directors. But her talent was always undeniable.
She won one AACTA Award and two Australian Writers’ Guild Awards for Lowwhich she co-created and directed, and a AFI Award for directing the short film Break and come in. Her career then began Low was in talks for an American adaptation, which led to an American Netflix directorial role.
‘I have girl bossand that was great, and then I kept flying home because I got work in Australia, which was great.
Her other directing credits include The disappointment, picnic at hanging rock, a place to call home, Mr. Black And Loensers.
She recently directed Doctor Who and the Sally Wainwright dramas Mr Jacco, And Renegade Nel.
In the 2025 season of Doctor Who she directed both “The Well” and “Lux”. TV tonight, producer Russell T. Davies was attracted to her vision for the episodes.
“I just put a bunch of images together. I developed a lookbook and took some risks because I didn’t want it to look generic,” she said of “Lux.”
“I had things like a Daffy Duck image, Cinema Paradiso(Martin Scorsese movie) Hugo and some eclectic pieces to try the Doctor Who show. There is a real twinkle in it, it combines humor with action and sci-fi.
“I went to bed exhausted. A few hours later I looked up and there were nine downloads from Dropbox. They had contacted me straight away!”
Pre-production took 10 weeks in Cardiff, with two episodes filmed over six weeks.
Newly launched Sally Wainwright drama Riot womenon which she directed three episodes, has also received critical acclaim on BBC One in recent weeks.
“Amanda made directing seem effortless,” Zwar said. “She always put the story first, drawing true, nuanced performances from actors and bringing clarity and depth to every script, which is why showrunners such as Russell T Davies, Sally Wainwright and Kay Cannon sought her out.
“She was a passionate advocate for writers and consistently elevated the work she was involved in.”
Before pursuing a career in television, Amanda also completed a PhD in linguistics.
Sophie Harper, Executive Director of the Australian Directors’ Guild, said: “Amanda Brotche was an exceptional director, widely respected by fellow directors for her work that combined precision, emotional intelligence and respect for story and performance. She built a remarkable career on Australian and international television, starting when opportunities for female directors were even more limited. Her impact on the industry, on the people she worked with, and on audiences, will be lasting.”
“Amanda was a long-time member of the Australian Writers’ Guild, winning two AWGIE Awards Lowwhich she created together with her husband and collaborator Adam Zwar.”
It added: “Our sincere condolences go out to Amanda’s husband Adam and her friends, colleagues and loved ones.”
Screen Producers Australia also said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Amanda Brotchie. Amanda was a gifted creator and a highly sought-after director of Australian and international productions. She was also a co-partner of High Wire Films and a valued part of our production community for many years.
“Amanda made a lasting contribution to the film industry and was widely admired for her creative vision, generosity and dedication to storytelling, as well as her strong relationships across the industry.
“Our sincere condolences go out to Adam Zwar, her family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Personally, Amanda was always welcoming on set and great to talk to during interviews over the years. Only a handful of Australian directors reach her level of international directing potential, a recognition of her gifts.
Gone way too soon…. I’m thinking about Adam right now.
Updated.
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