Tony Ayres

Tony Ayres (born 1961) is an Australian showrunner, screenwriter, and director in television and film. He is most notable for his films Walking on Water and The Home Song Stories (2007), as well his work in television, including working as the showrunner on The Slap and teen adventure series Nowhere Boys (2013). He founded his own film production company, Tony Ayres Productions (TAP), in 2018.

Early life and education Tony Ayres was born in Portuguese Macau (now in China) in 1961. In 1964, Ayres' mother married an Australian sailor and migrated her family to Perth, Western Australia.

Ayres' stepfather died of a heart attack three years after the death of his wife, and two days before he was due to remarry.

Career

Ayres' first feature film, Walking on Water, won the Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2002, and won 5 AFI Awards. His second feature film, The Home Song Stories, also premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, and won 24 Australian and international awards, including 8 AFI Awards.

Ayres was the showrunner and director of the 8-episode miniseries The Slap, which won five AACTA Awards, including Best Miniseries or TV Movie, and was nominated for a BAFTA and International Emmy. His other credits include producing the comedy series Bogan Pride with Rebel Wilson, and directing the 2009 telemovie Saved. Ayres was the showrunner for the ABC3 show Nowhere Boys, as well as executive producer on Old School and Devil's Playground.

On 31 January 2025, it was announced that Netflix series The Survivors had been announced in the 2025 Australian drama slate, and that Ayres would produce and write for the show. Ayres, alongside Matchbox Pictures, was heavily involved with the production when it was first announced in 2023. On 4 July 2025, ABC announced it was in active production with Ayres for a new series called Toxic based on the Erin Patterson "mushroom murders" trial.

Other activities In 2018, after departing Matchbox Pictures, Ayres created his production company Tony Ayres Productions (TAP).

In 2020 Ayres was appointed as a board member of the South Australian Film Corporation for three years.

Recognition and honours On 16 May 2023, Ayres was awarded an honorary degree with a Doctor of Arts in film and television from AFTRS.

Personal life Ayres is openly gay.

Awards Tony Ayres won the award of Best Dramatic Feature at the 2015 Byron Bay International Film Festival for the film Cut Snake.