Tristan DeVere Cole

Tristan John de Vere Cole, born on 16 March 1935, is a retired English television director. He is identified as the last-surviving illegitimate son of the painter Augustus John (1878–1961). His early career included service as an officer in the Royal Navy for seven years prior to transitioning into television and film directing.

Family and Early Life:

His mother, Mavis Cole, met the artist Augustus John at the Café Royal in 1928 and agreed to model for him. In 1931, Mavis Cole married Horace de Vere Cole, a notable Edwardian practical joker. In 1932, she became the mistress of Augustus John. Tristan Cole was born in 1935 and is considered to be John’s last-surviving illegitimate son. From the age of 18 months, Cole was raised within the household of Augustus John at Fryern Court, Fordingbridge, receiving part of his upbringing from his mother and later by Dorelia McNeill. His education included a three-year period at Kelly College in Tavistock.

Family Relationships:

Through his paternal lineage, Cole is related to several notable figures. His aunt was the artist Gwen John. His half-siblings include cellist Amaryllis Fleming; Sir Caspar John, who served as First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy; Gwyneth Johnstone, a painter; and Vivien John, also an artist. Only Caspar was born from Augustus John’s marriage. Cole’s paternal family connections include a direct lineage to art and military prominence.

Marriages and Personal Life:

In 1962, Cole married Diana Crosby Cook; the couple had two children, including Cassian de Vere Cole, a London-based fine art dealer born in 1966. Diana Cole died in 2025. In 2000, he married lawyer Prudence Murdoch, who died in 2010. Cole resides in Sutton Scotney and is in a partnership with Anne Stow, the eldest granddaughter of Neville Chamberlain, a former Prime Minister. Anne Stow’s maternal relatives include links to Horace de Vere Cole.

Professional Career:

Cole began his career with a training at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, starting around 1951, and served as a naval officer from 1953 to 1960. After leaving the military, he worked at the Bristol Old Vic as an assistant stage manager and actor. Subsequently, he pursued a career in television directing.

Television Work:

His directing credits include episodes of "Z-Cars" (1968), "Doctor Who" ("The Wheel in Space", 1968), "Take Three Girls" (1969), "Emmerdale Farm" (1972–1973), "Trinity Tales" (1975), "Angels" (1976), episodes of "Survivors" (1977), "Secret Army" (1979), "Juliet Bravo" (1980), "The Spoils of War" (1981), "Howards' Way" (1985–1988), "Rockliffe's Folly" (1988), "Bergerac" (1988–1992), and "Trainer" (1992).

Film Work:

His film directing includes "Orion's Belt" (1985) and "The Dive" (1990).

Recent Developments:

As of May 2024, Cole was reported to have written the screenplay for "Storm Witch," an adventure thriller film co-produced by the UK and Ireland, to be directed by David Blair and starring Gemma Arterton.

Publications:

He co-authored "Beautiful and Beloved: the Life of Mavis de Vere Cole" with Roderic Owen, published by Hutchinson in 1974.

External references include his profile on IMDb.