Biography
After leaving school at 16, Tessa applied for a job advertised in a job centre for a set runner in a production company. Two years later she attended the New York Film Academy making her first short film Barbara Ann and Travis. On her return to New Zealand she set up her own production company at aged 22, where she wrote and directed another two short films, The Collector and Group Therapy. Both films screened in competition internationally including Clermont Ferrand and the British Short Film Festival.
Tessa was the youngest director to helm the iconic New Zealand serial drama Shortland Street, Directing over 30 episodes of the multi camera serial drama.
A move to the UK brought opportunities to direct serial drama and children's drama.
BAFTA nominated for Series two of Rockets Island and Nominated for Scene of the Year 2018 British Soap Awards .
Self funded short documentary Siete Dias, filmed in Cuba had numerous international screenings and self-funded short film Spinosaurus had an exceptional festival run; winning multiple awards and bought for broadcast by HBO.
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Tessa's next short film 'Majority'; with World Premiere at Krakow SFF 2020 and in competition at BFI London Film Festival. Majority. Bought for broadcast by BBC and continued a successful festival run including BEST DRAMA at Close-Up Reykavik Film Festival in 2022 and several BEST ACTRESS awards for Maria Popistasu.
​Her feature film 'SALVAGE' is in development with Sixteen Films, BFI and New Zealand Film Commission.
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Tessa's television work includes the critically acclaimed Wayne, produced by the writers of Deadpool. In 2022 Tessa was Emmy nominated for Outstanding Direction for Netflix drama, Zero Chill. And directed 4 episodes of the multi award winning Irish crime drama KIN for AMC/RTE starring Ciaran Hinds, Aiden Gillen and Charlie Cox.
In 2022 Tessa directed the successful 3-part mini series, CROSSFIRE, for BBC1; starring Keeley Hawes. Followed up with two episodes of the enormously successful Sky action series Gangs of London.
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