Biography

Daniel Watterson is a stage and screen actor based in New Zealand and Australia, where he has quickly established himself as an exceptional and dynamic talent, cited for his passion, authenticity, charisma, and commitment to craft.

Daniel first gained notoriety in a sell-out 12-week season of Twelfth Night at the Pop Up Globe, the largest theatrical event of 2016, in which his performance as Olivia received critical acclaim. That year critics also praised his work in distinguished theatrical debut productions of Ain’t That A Bitch, and Lucrece (Auckland Shakespeare Company).  The same year he featured also in the hit Basement Theatre show Close City.  In 2017 he stunned theatre-audiences again as Tristan in The Effect at Q Theatre, and Thomas in Venus in Fur at The Court Theatre.

2016 also marked his screen debut as regular guest (and popular antagonist) Nathan on TVNZ’s Dirty Laundry.  Since then he has appeared regularly on NZ and International screens, most recently as the mysterious villain The Shaman in The New Legends of Monkey, released on Netflix, ABC, and TVNZ in 2018.

In 2019 he will appear on screens in the romantic comedy Falling Inn Love (Netflix), Power Rangers, New Zealand television favourite Westside, and in a leading role in the tele-feature Ablaze telling the story of the 1947 Ballantynes Fire, the deadliest fire in NZ history.  He’s also returned to The Court Theatre to perform in Christopher Hampton’s classic, Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

Daniel graduated from one of New Zealand’s eminent acting schools, The Actor’s Program, in 2014.  He continues training through regular participation in acting Masterclasses with such greats as Howard Fine and Miranda Harcourt, and annual auditing of the legendary Larry Moss’ Masterclass.

In a former life, Daniel practiced law as a Barrister and Crown Prosecutor, appearing as sole counsel in many criminal jury trials, and many contentious commercial cases. He holds a BA with double majors in Theatre and English Literature, and an LLB (Hons 1st).

 

 

Credits (highlights)

Film

Year

Production

Role

Production Company / Director

Type

2019 Ablaze Cyril Fender (lead) Screentime, dir. Josh Frizzell Feature Film
2019 Falling Inn Love Chad Netflix, dir. Roger Kumble Feature Film
2017 Why Does Love? Peter Waller Great Southern Television Feature Film
2015 Abandoned Journalist Making Movies, dir. John Liang Tele-Feature Film
TBR Augustine / Hope Augustine (Lead) Pictures Films, dir. Greg Lewis Feature Film
2008 Avatar Officer 880 Productions, dir. James Cameron Feature Film

Television

Year

Production

Role

Production Company / Director

Type

2019 Power Rangers Copier Man / Drillton Power Rangers Productions Ltd Drama
2019 Westside Vern Gardner South Pacific Pictures Drama
2018 The New Legends of Monkey Shaman See-Saw Films, Netflix, Dir. Gerard Jonstone Drama
2018 Murder is Forever Det. Welles Stephen David Entertainment, dir. David O'Neill Drama
2017 American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story Ron Scharf Stephen David Entertainment, dir. Rick Lopez Drama
2017 Dear Murderer William Kaneley Screentime NZ, dir. John Liang Drama
2016 Dirty Laundry Nathan (series regular) Filthy Productions Drama

Theatre

Year

Production

Role

Production Company / Director

2017 The Effect Tristan (lead) Fractious Tash, dir. Ben Henson
2017 Venus In Fur Thomas Novacheck (lead) The Court, dir. Lara McGregor
2016 Twelfth Night Olivia (lead) Pop Up Globe, dir. Miles Gregory
2016 Romeo and Juliet Benvolio (core) Pop Up Globe, dir. Ben Naylor
2016 Ain't That a Bitch Tom (lead) Fox Rabbit Bear, dir. Jonathan Hodge
2016 Close City Lars Jensen (core) Paper Plane Factory, dir. Egle Simkeviciute
2016 Lucrece Collatine (core) Auckland Shakespeare Company, dir. Rita Stone
2015 The First Time I Stood Man (solo) Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra / Auckland Museum
2014 Sheep Samuel Butler Q Theatre / Basement Theatre, dir. Benjamin Henson
2013 Pride and Prejudice Mr Darcy Gryphon Theatre, dirs. Paul Kay, Joy Hellyer