Mark Turnbull is an Australian film and television director best known for his work in crime and drama genres. He began his career in the late 1980s directing television documentaries and short films, before making his first feature film in 2000.
Turnbull was born in Sydney and grew up in the inner-western suburb of Marrickville. He studied film at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in the early 1990s, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994. After graduating, he directed documentaries and short films for both the Australian and international market. His first feature film, 'The Wannabes' (2000), was a low-budget drama about a group of young people living in Sydney's inner-west and their struggles with crime and drugs.
Since 'The Wannabes', Turnbull has gone on to direct a number of feature films, television series, and mini-series. His most notable works include the critically acclaimed crime drama 'The Square' (2008), the mystery thriller 'The Tangle' (2011), and the police drama series 'City Homicide' (2007-2011). He has also directed episodes of the Australian drama series 'Underbelly' and 'Killer Women', and the feature film 'The Reckoning' (2014).
Turnbull is known for his ability to create vivid and gritty worlds, often drawing on his own experiences of inner-city Sydney. His work is often marked by a strong sense of realism, blending naturalistic performances with a documentary-style approach to capturing urban landscapes. In recent years, Turnbull has also become known for his socially-conscious approach to storytelling, focusing on themes such as poverty, racism, and social injustice.
Mark Turnbull is one of Australia's most prominent and successful directors, having established himself as a master of gritty realism and socially-conscious storytelling. His work has been praised for its creativity and realism, resulting in numerous awards and accolades. He continues to direct feature films, television series, and mini-series, and is currently working on his latest project, a crime drama set in the inner-city of Melbourne.
