Profile
Pronoun
She/Her
Ethnicity
European
Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Height
166 cm
Age Range
28–38
Career Highlights
Johanna Cosgrove is an award-winning New Zealand actor, writer and comedian, and a graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School with further training at L’École Philippe Gaulier in Paris. She has starred in the acclaimed series "Madam" (Fifth Season) alongside Rachel Griffiths, Martin Henderson and Danielle Cormack, and appears in the upcoming feature "Bust Up". Her screen credits also include "Baby Done" and "Shortland Street". On stage, Johanna is known for her original works including the sell-out solo show "AUNTY", which won multiple awards and toured internationally, as well as "Iconoclast" and "Hi, Delusion!", both of which premiered to critical acclaim. Most recently, her show "Sweetie" toured the Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand International Comedy Festivals, winning the 2025 Director’s Choice Award.
Awards.
| 2025 | Directors Choice Award, NZICF "Sweetie" | ||
| 2024 | Most Unhinged, NZICF "Iconoclast" | ||
| 2019 | New Zealander of the Year - Local Hero Award "Nopesisters" | ||
| 2019 | Peoples Choice Award - Frankie Magazine "Nopesisters" | ||
| 2018 | Miss FQ - Influencer of the Year - Social Change "Nopesisters" | ||
| 2018 | Outstanding Performer - Dunedin Fringe "Aunty" | ||
| 2017 | Best Comedy - Auckland Fringe "Aunty" | ||
| 2017 | Best Line in a Kiwi Play - Auckland Theatre Awards "Aunty" | ||
Feature Film.
| 2020 | Baby Done Birthing | Woman | Dir. Curtis Vowell |
Television.
| 2026 | Bust Up | Caitlin | Dir. Awanui Simich-Pene |
| 2024 | Madam | Jaz | Dir. Kacie Anning, Madeleine Sami |
| 2020 | Shortland Street | Penny Buxton | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
Theatre.
| 2025 | Goblin Girls | MC & Host | |
| 2025 | Sweetie | NZICF, SICF, MICF | |
| 2024 | Iconoclast | New Zealand International Comedy Festival | |
| 2023 | Hi, Delusion! | Dir. Jess Joy Wood | |
| 2023 | Snort | Cast Member | |
| 2021 | A Slightly Isolated Dog Jekyll and Hyde / Don Juan Australian Tour | ||
| 2021 | Lost Letter Office Performer Capital E National Theatre for Children | ||
| 2020 | Public Service Announcements Judith Collins/Chloe Swarbrick | Circa Theatre | |
| 2019 | HeadSand | Curly/Parasite (Core Cast) | Dir. Ben Henson |
| 2019 | Salem Bitch Trials | Core Cast | Dir. Brynley Stent, Alice Canton |
| 2019 | Second Unit: What We Do in the Shadows | Performer | Circa Theatre |
| 2018 | Chef Masters | Johanna Cosgrove, Freya Finch, Vida Gibson | |
| 2018 | McKenzies Daughters | Core Cast | Dir. Brynley Stent, Alice Canton |
| 2018 | Public Service Announcements | Paula Bennet | Circa Theatre Dir. Hannah Smith |
| 2018 | Uneasy Dreams & Other Things | Reta | Circa Theatre Dir. Sara Brodie |
| 2017 | Aunty | NZICF, MICF, Edinburgh Fringe | |
| 2016 | Ensemble Impact Schools Tour | Core Cast | Dir. Leo Gene Peters |
| 2016 | Jabberwocky | Devisor/Core Cast | Company of Giants |
| 2016 | Mall Dreams Director | Northland Youth Theatre Dir. Johanna Cosgrove, Ash Holwell, Thomas Gowing | |
| 2016 | Milk and Honey | Assistant Director | Company of Giants Dir. Laurel Devenie |
| 2015 | Twelfth Night | Maria | Bright Orange Walls Dir. Samuel Phillips |
Web Series.
| 2019 | Life is Easy Katie | Dir. Amanda Tito, Christopher Stratton | |
| 2019 | SMOKO Moo | Dir. Rachel Ross | |
| 2016 | BURBS | Johanna (Lead) | Dir. Stella Reid, Laura Robinson |
Short Film.
| 2025 | Nurses (Music Video) | Dir. Stella Reid | |
| 2014 | Guest(s) | Emmanuelle (Lead) | Dir. Louis Sutherland |
| 2013 | Sisters | Grace (Lead) | Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School Dir. Robert Sarkies |
| 2012 | Violet | Violet (Lead) | Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School Dir. Jacob Buellens |