Warren Gray(II)
- Production Designer
- Producer
Warren Gray is a South African production designer renowned for his work across film and television, achieving major recognition in recent years. Originally from Cape Town, he trained in industrial design at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, starting his career by receiving a bursary and graduating in 2000. Since then, Gray has established himself as an award-winning production designer, working on projects in South Africa, the U.S., the U.K., and beyond.
Gray's portfolio includes significant titles such as African Queens: Njinga, for which he won a Daytime Emmy in 2024. The docuseries, executive-produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, tells the story of 17th-century Queen Njinga of Angola. For this series, Gray focused on recreating the historical world of 1624 Angola through extensive research, relying on fragmented records and cultural elements from the surrounding regions to authentically depict the period. His work also spans films like Pirates of Somalia (2017) and Noem My Skollie (2016), as well as the action drama series SAF3, where he constructed elaborate sets, including part of a yacht and recreated scenes within Pollsmoor Prison for authenticity.
In 2023, Gray was inducted into the British Film Designers Guild, enhancing his international profile. His approach emphasizes meticulous world-building and historical accuracy, aiming to immerse audiences fully in the stories he helps tell. Gray has expressed a commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers, sharing his knowledge and encouraging collaboration within his teams.
His recent Emmy win has not only bolstered his career but also challenged norms within the South African film industry, marking him as a high-caliber talent on the international stage. Gray is now positioned to work on more projects where his production design skills can continue to make impactful contributions to storytelling across cultures.
For more information, you can check out Warren Gray at Murtha Skouras Agency .
Gray's portfolio includes significant titles such as African Queens: Njinga, for which he won a Daytime Emmy in 2024. The docuseries, executive-produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, tells the story of 17th-century Queen Njinga of Angola. For this series, Gray focused on recreating the historical world of 1624 Angola through extensive research, relying on fragmented records and cultural elements from the surrounding regions to authentically depict the period. His work also spans films like Pirates of Somalia (2017) and Noem My Skollie (2016), as well as the action drama series SAF3, where he constructed elaborate sets, including part of a yacht and recreated scenes within Pollsmoor Prison for authenticity.
In 2023, Gray was inducted into the British Film Designers Guild, enhancing his international profile. His approach emphasizes meticulous world-building and historical accuracy, aiming to immerse audiences fully in the stories he helps tell. Gray has expressed a commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers, sharing his knowledge and encouraging collaboration within his teams.
His recent Emmy win has not only bolstered his career but also challenged norms within the South African film industry, marking him as a high-caliber talent on the international stage. Gray is now positioned to work on more projects where his production design skills can continue to make impactful contributions to storytelling across cultures.
For more information, you can check out Warren Gray at Murtha Skouras Agency .
