John is an actor, writer and filmmaker.
John is the creator and writer of the TV series Dead Still, for which he won an Edgar Award for Best TV Episode Teleplay. He has written and directed several short films including Smitten for RTÉ Storyland, and also wrote the award-winning shorts Seanie & Flo, Kathleen and Swerve. He currently has several TV projects in development.
John’s play Denouement (published by Samuel French/Concord Theatricals) had its world premiere at Lyric Theatre Belfast in October 2025. His other work for the stage includes the plays Taboo (White Label), War Of Attrition, Scratcher, Smitten and Heart Shaped Vinyl (Devious Theatre). With Peter McGann, he co-wrote the Irish historical plays The Hellfire Squad and The Roaring Banshees. He also wrote the adaptation of Thomas Kilroy’s novel The Big Chapel (Asylum/Abbey Theatre/Kilkenny Arts Festival) which was nominated in three categories at Irish Times Theatre Awards 2020.
His work for radio includes 100 Everyday Menaces (RTÉ Drama On One, IMRO Award Winner 2018), the serial Vultures (KCLR/Devious Theatre) and an adaptation of The War Of The Worlds (KCLR/Devious Theatre, PPI Award Winner 2009).
John is a founding member of White Label in Dublin and Devious Theatre in Kilkenny, currently Watergate Theatre’s Artists in Residence for 2026-28.
John Morton is represented by Frances Arnold