Matthew Cooper is a renowned scriptwriter, director, and script consultant with a remarkable 25+ year career in the UK's broadcast networks. Based in the UK, he has earned a reputation as a BAFTA shortlisted and RTS nominated professional.
Cooper's journey began at a young age, with his first script being produced and broadcast on Channel Four when he was just 19 years old. The short film, which marked the acting debut of Ewan McGregor, launched both their careers and showcased Cooper's exceptional talent.
Throughout his career, Cooper has worked on various projects, including the Emmerdale team, where he was the youngest writer at 27, and the BBC's Eastenders, where he wrote an iconic episode that became one of the highest-watched episodes in the show's 20+ year history.
In addition to his work on UK soap operas, Cooper has also worked on CH4's Hollyoaks show, which he helped to triple its viewing figures under producer Bryan Kirkwood. He oversaw storylines that introduced the McQueen family and notorious club owner, gangster, and double murderer Warren Fox, who was praised for being the first "realistic" gangster character in UK soaps.
As a script consultant and script doctor, Cooper has worked on various produced and released feature films on both sides of the Atlantic. He also acts as a "player turned coach" for new writers through his script consultant website, helping them to develop their skills and achieve their goals.
In his capacity as a director, Cooper has completed a trilogy of innovative low-budget horror films based on the work of H. P. Lovecraft. The films, titled "Markham (2020)", "At The Mountains of Madness (2021)", and "When The Earth Gives Up The Dead (2022)", were released for free online and received positive reviews. Cooper's unique approach to filmmaking combines ultra-modern tech with retro analogue equipment, blending Super 8mm with virtual sound stages, and old school gore effects with CGI graphics, all achieved on ultra-low budgets and completed during the Covid Pandemic.
Cooper's most recent project is the comedy feature film "Sober", starring Dean Smith and Tom Gibbons. This ambitious project, written in collaboration with the two main actors, marks Cooper's biggest and most ambitious project to date. The film was shot in Leeds and showcases Cooper's versatility and ability to adapt to different genres and styles.
