Dan Vernon
agent: Camilla Chiverton - camilla@sternwild.com
BAFTA award-winning director Dan Vernon is recognised as one of the industry’s most imaginative visual storytellers. His bold, cinematic films are known for their distinctive sense of humour and heart.
Over the past two decades, Dan has directed premium documentary films and series for all the UK terrestrial broadcasters, as well as global platforms including Netflix, Discovery+ and Sky.
His work has premiered at major international festivals including Hot Docs and DOC NYC. His 2025 film The Salisbury Poisonings: A Spy Next Door, a Passion Pictures production for CNN, is set to premiere in spring 2026 at CPH:DOX.
Dan first trained as a sculptor before becoming an assistant Art Director on drama feature films including Danny Boyle’s groundbreaking film 28 Days Later. After winning the BAFTA scholarship to train at the NFTS, Dan graduated with a Distinction and his film 'Fountain of Youth' went on to win the 'Best Short Film' award at several festivals, including the prestigious Hamptons International Film Festival in the US.
In 2007, the BBC commissioned Dan’s first film, which he produced, directed and shot himself. In 2008 he received the BAFTA Award for Breakthrough Talent for the widely acclaimed Wonderland: The Man Who Eats Badgers and Other Strange Tales from Bodmin Moor (BBC).
A series of award-winning and critically acclaimed films followed, including the BAFTA-nominated Nailbomber: Manhunt (Netflix), a chilling and sensitively told account of far-right extremist David Copeland, who detonated three nail bombs in London in 1999. Other notable work includes the RTS-winning The Changing Times of Ike White (BBC), a deeply moving and cautionary tale of fame and exploitation. Further highlights include, The Manhattan Alien Abduction (Netflix), King of the Apocalypse (Sky), House of Maxwell (BBC 2).
Dan is also an accomplished cinematographer and occasionally shoots his own films. His striking camerawork on the acclaimed BBC Two series The Detectives: Murder on the Streets earned a BAFTA nomination for cinematography - a series he also directed and produced.
Across intimate retrospective documentaries, unfolding observational series, and deeply personal profiles, Dan’s work consistently showcases a powerful sense of craft, empathy, and immersive storytelling.
Alongside his long-form projects, Dan enjoys filming branded and commercial work that bridges the gap between brand storytelling and documentary authenticity. His visually striking campaigns include work for clients such as Guinness, Vodafone and Aviva.