Vanessa Alexander

Globetrotter Vanessa Alexander first impressed audiences with her 1999 feature Magik and Rose. Her CV encompasses writing, directing (the debut episodes of both Outrageous Fortune and Agent Anna) and producing (short film Cargo). Alexander now concentrates on writing, from homes in Sydney and London — including Australian hit Love Child, Vikings spin-off Valhalla, and Emmy-nominated series The Great.  

Making shows in New Zealand when I was younger taught me to be really resourceful. I ended up doing lots of roles on different kinds of shows — directing, producing, storylining — all of which made me a better writer. Kiwis don’t religiously follow rules, which means I went to the UK with a mind open to thinking a bit differently. Vanessa Alexander