Cara Mahoney – Actor, Screenwriter, Producer, Filmmaker, and Founder of Yonic Productions
Cara Mahoney is a British creative force whose career spans acting, screenwriting, producing, and filmmaking. Born on 26 May 1993, she has steadily built a reputation in the film and theatre industry as both a performer and a storyteller. Based in London, she is also the founder of Yonic Productions, a female-led company committed to telling women’s stories and amplifying female voices in film.
From her early academic achievements at the University of St Andrews to her training at the prestigious Oxford School of Drama, Cara Mahoney has combined intellect, artistry, and determination to carve out a multifaceted career. Her portfolio includes independent short films, screenplays recognised at international festivals, and acting credits in major productions such as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
This article explores her journey in detail, highlighting her education, professional milestones, creative projects, and the ethos behind her production company.
Early Life and Education
Academic Excellence at the University of St Andrews
Cara Mahoney pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of St Andrews, graduating with a Master of Arts (Honours) degree in English in 2015. During her time there, she immersed herself in theatre, ballroom and Latin American dancing, and student arts festivals. Her dissertation, Harold Pinter: Comedic Playwright, examined the playwright’s use of comedy and earned her a first-class mark.
Her years at St Andrews not only honed her analytical and writing skills but also deepened her passion for performance and storytelling.
Advanced Studies in Creative Writing
Following her undergraduate degree, Cara continued at St Andrews to complete a Master of Letters (MLitt) in Creative Writing: Writing for Performance in 2016. Here, she studied writing for screen, stage, and radio, analysing the works of playwrights such as Caryl Churchill. Her dissertation was a one-act play entitled Fetching Rocks, exploring how childhood trauma manifests physically on stage.
Training at the Oxford School of Drama
Determined to refine her acting craft, Cara Mahoney attended the Oxford School of Drama in 2017–2018, undertaking the One-Year Course in Acting. The training focused on voice, movement, and text study, culminating in performances at the North Wall Arts Centre in Oxford and the Soho Theatre in London.
This balance of academic grounding in literature, creative writing, and formal drama training laid the foundation for her multidimensional career.
Career in Acting
Early Roles and Screen Debut
Cara Mahoney’s acting work spans both theatre and screen. Her most high-profile film role to date came in 2022 when she appeared in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. While a smaller part, the credit signalled her arrival on the global stage and marked an important milestone in her acting career.
Theatre and Performance
Her theatre background remains an important part of her career. With experience in text-heavy roles, ensemble performances, and devised theatre, Cara has demonstrated versatility across genres. The foundation gained at Oxford School of Drama has translated into a confident screen presence as well as strong collaborative skills on stage.
Career as a Screenwriter
Themes and Voice
Alongside acting, Cara Mahoney is a talented screenwriter whose work delves into themes of identity, belonging, gender, and sexuality. She often uses humour and drama to explore complex relationships and moments of self-discovery.
Acclaimed Work: Full Fat
Her short screenplay Full Fat (2025) has earned international recognition. It won the Los Angeles Short Film Award for Best Short Screenplay in 2024, and was officially selected at festivals in Berlin, Chicago, and New York. It went on to win Best Unproduced Script at the Santa Barbara International ShortFest in 2025, and was nominated at the Unrestricted View Film Festival.
This screenplay, now in pre-production with award-winning filmmaker Louisa Connolly-Burnham attached to direct, reflects Cara’s ability to create original, emotionally resonant stories that resonate globally.
Fish and Mole
Cara’s other scripts include Fish, a queer coming-of-age comedy, and Mole, a dark comedy bildungsroman. Both films premiered at major festivals in 2025, with Fish screening at BFI Flare and other international LGBTQ+ festivals, while Mole debuted at the London Independent Film Festival.
Her growing body of written work demonstrates a consistent exploration of contemporary identity and lived experience, framed with both wit and compassion.
Yonic Productions – Championing Women’s Stories
Founding Vision
In 2021, Cara Mahoney founded Yonic Productions, a female-led company dedicated to telling women’s stories while creating opportunities for women in film. As Founder and Director, Cara manages the company’s ethos, branding, and production pipeline.
Productions and Achievements
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Fish – premiered at BFI Flare 2025 and screened at festivals across Boston, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, and Rio.
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Mole – premiered at the London Independent Film Festival and selected for further screenings at Femme Filmmakers Festival and Women X.
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Tenancy – a speculative fiction short, currently in post-production in association with Lone Lake Productions.
Cara’s leadership role involves writing pitch decks, raising funds, assembling creative teams, managing budgets, and ensuring smooth on-set operations. Her ability to balance creative and logistical responsibilities has made Yonic Productions a growing force in independent cinema.
Career as a Producer
Hands-On Production Work
In addition to her creative leadership at Yonic Productions, Cara has worked as a producer and associate producer on various projects. She was Associate Producer for What Goes ’Round (or Things That Go Bump in the Night), a horror short with a budget of £30,000. Her contributions included script analysis, production management, and creative development support.
Theatre Production
Cara also expanded into theatre production in 2023, producing The Old Queen’s Head at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre in London. The show sold out its run and earned five-star reviews, cementing her ability to navigate both film and theatre production landscapes.
Additional Professional Experience
Beyond film and theatre, Cara Mahoney has worked as a private tutor in English Literature and Language, helping students improve academically. She has also held roles in administration, copywriting, and arts festival management. These experiences demonstrate her adaptability and strong organisational skills, traits that she now channels into her creative career.
Age and Personal Profile
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Full Name: Cara Mahoney
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Date of Birth: 26 May 1993
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Age: 32 (as of 2025)
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Base: London, United Kingdom
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Professions: Actor, Screenwriter, Producer, Filmmaker, Tutor
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Founder: Yonic Productions
Cara Mahoney describes herself as a team player who is insightful, passionate, and enquiring, with strong communication and organisational skills.
Conclusion
Cara Mahoney is an emerging talent in the UK creative industries, embodying the spirit of a modern filmmaker who wears many hats. As an actor, she has worked on international productions. As a writer, her screenplays have earned awards and festival recognition. As a producer, she has launched her own company, Yonic Productions, dedicated to championing women’s stories.
Her career trajectory demonstrates the value of combining education, training, and hands-on experience. At just 32 years old, she has already contributed meaningfully to theatre, film, and screenwriting, and her projects continue to gain global attention.
With her combination of talent, drive, and commitment to inclusivity, Cara Mahoney is a name to watch in British cinema.
