Anthony McCarten

Biography

Anthony McCarten was born on April 28, 1961, in New Plymouth, New Zealand. He attended Francis Douglas Memorial College and began his career as a reporter for The Taranaki Herald before pursuing higher studies in creative writing. He later studied at Massey University and Victoria University of Wellington, where he was mentored by noted New Zealand writer Bill Manhire.

Career as Playwright and Novelist
McCarten began his career as a playwright, writing several successful stage plays in New Zealand. One of his earliest and most popular works was Ladies’ Night (1987), co-written with Stephen Sinclair. The comedy became an international success, translated into multiple languages, and performed in theatres worldwide. His other plays include Pigeon English, Yellow Canary Mazurka, Weed, and Hang on a Minute, Mate.

He later turned to fiction, publishing novels such as Spinners (1999), The English Harem, Brilliance, Death of a Superhero, Show of Hands, In the Absence of Heroes, and funnygirl. McCarten has also written non-fiction, including Darkest Hour: How Churchill Brought Us Back From the Brink, which inspired one of his most acclaimed screenplays.

Film and Screenwriting Career
McCarten successfully transitioned into film, adapting several of his own works. His early screen projects included Via Satellite (1999), which he also directed, Show of Hands (2008), and Death of a Superhero (2011).

He gained international recognition as a screenwriter and producer of biographical dramas. His major screenwriting credits include:

The Theory of Everything (2014), based on the life of Stephen Hawking.

Darkest Hour (2017), centered on Winston Churchill’s leadership during World War II.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), the acclaimed film about the band Queen and Freddie Mercury.

The Two Popes (2019) depicts the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022), a musical biopic on the legendary singer.