Mary's journey began after graduation, when she initially pursued a musical career, only to pivot and join Granada Television, where she assisted the renowned documentary filmmaker Denis Mitchell. This experience laid the foundation for her own directing career, which would go on to yield remarkable results.
Her feature film, The Assam Garden, starring Deborah Kerr, won the Best First Film Prize at the prestigious Sanremo Film Festival, with Films & Filming describing her directing debut as "one of the most remarkable in post-war British cinema".
Mary's documentary portfolio boasts an impressive array of works, including The Human Voice, a captivating portrait of opera singer Elisabeth Soderstrom. This masterpiece earned the praise of critic Hans Keller, who hailed it as "a televisual musical masterpiece".
In addition to her work behind the camera, Mary has also trained directors for Granada Television and the BBC. She shares her expertise by teaching screen acting at the Actors' Centre and Drama Studio London.
Mary's contributions extend beyond the screen, as she has held positions of leadership within the industry. She served as the former Chair of the Directors' and Producers' Rights Society, now Directors UK, and President of the International Committee of Dramatic, Literary and Audio-Visual Authors.
Her commitment to her craft and the community has earned Mary the esteemed title of Honorary Fellow of the University of Sussex.
