Peter Andrikidis graduated from AFTRS (Film Direction) in 1981 as one of the youngest students. He was immediately recruited to Crawford Productions where he directed numerous drama productions, culminating in producing a series of Flying Doctors.

Peter believes his real ‘coming of age’ was on the ABC drama G.P., on which he also became Producer. “I developed a deep understanding of story and script, shaping screenplays with the talented writers on G.P. Operating at the ABC was a wonderful creative process which was encouraged by Drama Heads Penny Chapman and Sue Masters.”

Peter thinks the groundbreaking drama series Wildside is his greatest directing achievement. “I was finally directing a drama where understated improvised performances (which I tried to attain my entire career) were finally achieved. I also established a long relationship with actors Tony Martin and Rachel Blake on this series.” Two episodes, which Peter directed, won a total of eight AFI’s including Best Direction.

He then directed the entire ABC series Grass Roots written by Geoffrey Atherden, which went on to win seven AFI’s over two seasons, including Best Direction. It also won a New York Festival Award.

In 2001 he directed the telemovie My Husband, My Killer with Colin Friels and David Field, also winning numerous awards and his third AFI for Best Direction. “I loved working with Colin and David and would cast them in a flash. Tony Buckley was inspiring as Producer.”

In 2002/3 Heroes’ Mountain (drama telemovie about the Thredbo Rescue) and Jessica (mini-series with Sam Neill) each won a Silver Hugo for Best Direction and a Gold/Silver Plaque for Best Drama at the Chicago International Television Awards. Sam Neill also won a Silver Logie and the Jessica production won Best Mini-Series. In 2004/5 Peter directed five BlackJack telemovies for the Ten Network, featuring Colin Friels solving ‘cold crime cases’, which won numerous awards including direction.

2006 saw Peter direct the $15 million dollar Granada – ITV co-production The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant with Romola Garai, Jack Davenport and Sam Neill. This screened to eight million viewers in the UK. It won an AFI, a Logie, a New York Festival Award for Best TV Mini-series and a Silver Plaque for Best Direction at the Chicago Awards.

In April 2006 he was voted one of the Top Ten Directors in Encore Magazine’s ‘Celebration of the Industry’s Finest’. The list included Baz Luhrmann, Gillian Armstrong, Phillip Noyce and Rolf De Heer. Peter was awarded a Centenary Medal for ‘Outstanding services to Australian Society and Film Production’ in 2003. He has a reputation for getting excellent performances from actors (an actor’s director) and bringing exciting visual flair to each production he undertakes.

Peter is currently directing the SBS mini-series East West 101, a drama about what it means to be Muslim in Australia after September 11, 2001. The cast includes Don Hany, William McInnes and Susie Porter.

“I love directing with a passion and thank god I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to fulfil my dream and make a successful career of it.”