Trish Cooke
Trish Cooke writes for theatre, TV, film, radio and enjoys writing for both adults and children.
She is an award winning author and a tremendously talented writer with a diverse and distinct portfolio across television, radio and stage for adults and children. Cooke has written on many children’s television series including Jojo and Gran Gran (Cbeebies), Number One Newton Avenue (Cbeebies), and Lyla and Max’s Garden (Fettle Animation). Fun Fact: she was a presenter and writer on the iconic Children’s series Playdays on the BBC. Her extensive children’s stage work includes the Olivier nominated CINDERLLA, and for adults, she was Writer in residence at The Bush Theatre in 2019 and went on to write as part of the Eastenders attachment scheme.
She is currently commissioned by the Leeds Playhouse to adapt her award-winning book SO MUCH into a musical, is a Writer on ‘Pop Paper City’ for Aardman Animation and is also developing a number of original projects.
TV
LATEST TV –
Trish was part of an EASTENDERS Shadow scheme in 2020 and was commissioned to write an episode.
NUMBER ONE NEWTON AVENUE (CBBC) – Trish has written 6 episodes of this new pre-school programme due for broadcast in the autumn of 2021.
CHILDREN’S TV Writer’s Room with Fettle Animation for LYLA AND MAX’S GARDEN (2020)
She has also written for JOJO & GRAN-GRAN – BBC Children’s Productions (2019)
Trish was commissioned to write the CBeebies CHRISTMAS show (2020) but Covid-19 restrictions has put this show on hold.
Trish was an EMMERDALE story liner – Emmerdale Writers’ Initiative ITV (2013)
DOCTORS (BBC TV) – LOOKING AFTER MUM (January 2006)
DOCTORS (BBC TV) – HARD TO SWALLOW (March 2005)
GET UP STAND UP (Bachacks for Channel 4) – Comedy sketches (1997)
BROTHERS AND SISTERS (BBC TV) – Episode 5 of Series One, produced by Charlie Hanson (1996)
PLAYDAYS – Felgate Productions for CBBC (1989-96)
THE REAL MCCOY (BBC TV) – Sketches (1994-5).
TWEENIES – One of original writers. Tell-Tale Productions for CBBC (1998/1999)
EASTENDERS (BBC TV) – Episode 630 for BBC 1 (Dir. Terry Iland) (1991)
STAGE
ALTERATIONS (2025) – Trish has provided additional material for a revival of Michael Abbensetts’ play for a run at the National Theatre, at the request of director Lynette Linton.
MAN UP (2021) – The Bush Theatre have commissioned Trish to write an original play.
SO MUCH – the musical (2019-21) Leeds Playhouse have commissioned Trish to adapt her award winning picture book So Much into a musical.
GRABBING THE TWILIGHT (2019) – Trish’s latest play (not yet produced) is set in the bedroom of a 50 year old woman at a crisis in her life- a surreal internal dialogue with herself as she reminisces on the life that got her to this point.
LEFT HANGIN’ (2015) (performed at The Bush Theatre for the Black Lives, Black Words Initiative Chicago/London) explores the theme ‘death in police custody’ as a mother tries to come to terms with her son’s alleged suicide.
THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST – Christmas shows (2005-2017) – Trish has written 8 of Theatre Royal Stratford East’s successful Christmas shows including the Olivier nominated CINDERELLA in 2008
ANANSI TRADES PLACES – Talawa Theatre (2007/2008)
FILM
TIME OUT – First Feedback, Yorkshire , Original screenplay – Finalist (2001/2)
WHERE AEROPLANES GO TO DIE – 10 minute Film – Screen Yorkshire Digital Shorts (2006) Cannes Film Festival (2007)
THOSE OLD METAL THINGS – 5 minute film, Screen Yorkshire Caught Short Focus scheme – (2004)
RADIO
Writer in Residence, BBC North (2002/2003) UNSPOKEN (BBC Radio Manchester) – An original 5-part drama serial for R4 (2002/3)
SINGLE PLUS ONE (BBC Radio Manchester) – An original 30-minute Afternoon Play for Radio 4 (2000)
THOSE OLD METAL THINGS (BBC Radio Manchester) – Original radio play produced by Pauline Harris and starring Cathy Tyson. Sunday Times Culture Section’s “Pick of the Day” (1999)
LUV DANCIN’ (BBC Radio Manchester) – Original radio play for R4 directed by Pauline Harris (1998)
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Trish has written over 20 children’s book including TALES FROM THE CARIBBEAN (Penguin/Puffin, 2017) and SO MUCH – (Walker Books, 1994) which won the 1994 Kurt Maschler Award, the Nestle Smarties Book Prize and the 1995 She/WHSmith’s Under Fives Book Prize. SO MUCH was Highly Commended for the 1995 Kate Greenaway Medal and also won awards in France and South Africa. Trish’s latest books ZEL, LET OUT YOUR HAIR; JACKSON AND THE HAIRSTALK and THE PUPPET WHO WANTED HAIR were published by Woke Babies/ Tangle Teezers in February 2021. She is currently working on a new book for Walker Books.
