Biography
Catherine Johnson is a British playwright and screenwriter. Born in Suffolk, she grew up in Gloucestershire and began her career writing stage plays after winning the Bristol Old Vic/HTV Playwriting award in 1987 with Rag Doll. Her early work includes productions at the Bristol Old Vic and the Bush Theatre in London, as well as episodes for television series such as Casualty.
She is best known for writing the book for the ABBA jukebox musical Mamma Mia!, which opened in London in 1999, and the screenplay for its 2008 film adaptation directed by Phyllida Lloyd. Johnson also contributed the story for the 2018 sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Her other credits include creating the series Love in the 21st Century and Dappers.
Johnson has received awards including the Thames Television Writer-in-Residence and Best Play awards, a UK Film Council script award, and a Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical.
