Brent GundesenHome - Brent Gundesen

Documentary Filmmaker

Hi there,

My name is Brent Gundesen, and I’m a New Zealand/British Series Director crafting cinematic, character-driven documentary films for global audiences.

My work spans BAFTA-winning observational documentaries through to high-profile talent-led and international access series, often involving sensitive or complex subject matter — helping to define editorial direction, tone and visual style from development through to delivery. I’ve spent the majority of my career in the UK working across premium series for platforms including Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, the BBC and Channel 4.

Outside of work, I’m a husband to Sara and a dad to Ollie and India — something that keeps me grounded and continues to shape how I connect with people and the stories they trust me to tell.

At the heart of everything I do is people. I place huge importance on building genuine trust with contributors — creating an environment where people feel safe, respected and truly heard...

Showreel

A 3'30" minute sample of the variety of documentaries I have filmed over the years.

Raising Chelsea

2025-2026 Disney+ Series Director (self-shooting)

Celebrity couple Jamie Laing & Sophie Habboo prepare & embrace for the challenges of becoming first-time parents. Whether it’s the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy, balancing their busy professional lives, navigating unsolicited advice from loved ones, viewers can expect moments of warmth, humour & of course, a healthy dose of drama as the countdown approaches.

Dorothy Street Pictures Julia Nottingham, Melanie Archer, Rebecca Burrell

Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars

2024-2025 Apple TV+ Self-Shooting Producer/Director

Exploring the high-stakes world of international fine dining with exclusive Michelin Guide access over the course of the year-long Michelin Guide season, We follow the fates of elite chefs at some of the world’s most unique and celebrated restaurants to determine if they will win, maintain or lose that precious Star/s. I filmed in USA, Mexico, Hong Kong, Macau & the UK with each chef facing their own deeply personal challenge

Studio Ramsay Global Morgan Roberts, Lisa Edwards, Jo Hughes

Life Without Limits: The Isle of Man TT

2024 Amazon Prime Senior Producer/Director (Self-Shooting)

A new premium docuseries to sit alongside a feature film around one of the most visceral, exhilarating & unusual events in the motorsport diary, The Isle of Man TT. Created by Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum's production companies in collaboration with the creators of Netflix's Formula 1: Drive to Survive.

BoxToBox / PlanB / Free Association Brad Pitt / Channing Tatum / James Gay-Rees / Paul Martin / Darren Lovell / Cassie Benitt / Wesley Pollitt / Anuar Arroyo

Break Point (S1)

2022 Netflix Self-Shooting Producer/Director

A new professional tennis docuseries capturing the 2022 season. Travel alongside some of the world's most talented tennis players as they swing for greatness and Grand Slams through an action-packed season. (creators of Senna, Amy & Formula 1: Drive to Survive).

Box To Box James Gay-Rees / Paul Martin / Nonuk Walter / Martin Webb / Kari Lia / Annie Tetchner / Itamar Klasmer

Race Across The World (S1) - BAFTA Award Winner (2020)

2018 BBC2 Self-Shooting Producer/Director

RATW was the BAFTA Award Winner, for Best Constructed Factual Series, 2020. Embedded PD with estranged father & son - Darren & Alex: Race Across the World pits travellers against each other in a challenging 12,000 mile adventure from London to Singapore without taking a single flight. With no modern trappings such as mobile phones they cross continents using whatever mode of transport they can to reach the finish line in the fastest time. (50 days, across 20 countries).

Studio Lambert Stephen Lambert / Tim Harcourt / Mark Saben / Stephen Day

DNA Family Secrets (S3)

2023 BBC2 Series Director (self-shooting)

Over 26 million of us have taken a DNA test in the past decade. This growing popularity of genetic testing has created worldwide databases that allow us to ask questions previously impossible to answer about our families, ancestry and health. Working with geneticists, genealogists, social workers & doctors, we use the very latest DNA technology to reveal lost heritage, track down missing relatives & detect debilitating diseases before it is too late. Presented by Stacey Dooley.

Minnow Films Lucy Morgan / Sophie Leonard