Andrew Upton took a Diploma of Art in Dramatic Art in Sydney, majoring in directing. Before moving to London, he worked in continuity for a number of features, including Babe 2, and as Second Unit Director on the Australian television series Big Sky. He also directed two Writers' Studios at the Australian National Playwrights' Centre (1995 and 1996).
In 1999, Upton wrote and directed Bangers, which starred his wife Cate Blanchett (q.v.). In 2006, he wrote the film Gone, which was directed by Ringan Ledwidge (q.v.). With Blanchett, Upton has formed Dirty Films to develop feature projects.
As a playwright, Upton penned adaptations of Hedda Gabler, The Cherry Orchard, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Don Juan (with Marion Potts) for the Sydney Theatre Company (STC, q.v.), and Maxim Gorky's Phillistines for London's Royal National Theatre. His original play Riflemind, with Hugo Weaving as an ageing rock star planning a comeback tour, opened at the STC on 5 October 2007 to favourable reviews.
Upton and Blanchett served two three-year terms as co-artistic directors of the STC, 2008-2010 and 2011-2013.