How to Approach Agents
Comprehensive, territory-specific guides covering everything you need to know before reaching out to agents — from what to include in your submission to common mistakes that get your email deleted.
United Kingdom
The UK acting industry is centred around London, with Spotlight as the primary casting platform. Understanding how agents operate here — and what they expect from unsolicited approaches — is essential before you send a single email.
The UK industry revolves around Spotlight, the casting directory used by virtually every agent and casting director. If you don't have a Spotlight profile, most agents won't consider you — it's the industry standard and your first priority.
Agents in the UK typically represent actors across theatre, film, and television simultaneously. Unlike the US, there's no formal split between "theatrical" and "commercial" agents — most UK agents handle everything. That said, some agencies have dedicated voiceover or commercial divisions.
The agent-actor relationship is exclusive: you have one agent, and they submit you for everything. Switching agents is common but should be handled professionally — always resign formally in writing before approaching new representation.
Most UK agencies are based in London (Soho, Covent Garden, King's Cross), though Manchester, Glasgow, and Bristol have growing local agency scenes. Regional agents are excellent stepping stones, particularly for actors starting out or those based outside London.
United States
The US market is split between Los Angeles and New York, with completely different conventions, unions, and agent structures. Understanding these differences — and the distinction between agents and managers — is crucial before you start submitting.
Los Angeles is the centre of the film and television industry. If your goal is screen work, this is where most casting happens. Agents here focus heavily on TV pilots (January-April) and feature films. The pace is fast, the competition is extreme, and self-tapes have become the primary audition format.
New York is the theatre capital and also has a thriving TV/film scene (particularly for shows filming on the East Coast). Broadway, Off-Broadway, and the regional theatre circuit are all centred here. NYC agents tend to be more theatre-oriented, though many handle film/TV as well.
Other markets — Atlanta, Chicago, Vancouver (for US productions filming in Canada), and New Mexico are growing production hubs. Having representation in these cities can be valuable, particularly early in your career. Some actors start with regional agents before moving to LA or NYC representation.
Australia
The Australian industry is smaller but tightly knit, with its own conventions around casting platforms, representation, and the path to getting an agent. The warmth and informality of the culture extends to professional relationships — but don't mistake friendliness for a lack of standards.
Australia's screen industry is concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne, with growing production scenes in Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide (particularly with state government incentives). The industry is smaller than the US or UK, which means relationships matter even more — reputation travels fast.
Showcast (showcast.com.au) is Australia's equivalent of Spotlight — the primary casting directory used by agents and casting directors. Having a Showcast profile is essential.
Most Australian agents handle all areas (film, TV, theatre, commercial) under one roof, similar to the UK model. The agent-actor relationship is typically exclusive, though some actors have separate commercial agents.
The industry is unionised through MEAA (Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance), which sets minimum pay rates and working conditions. Union membership isn't as gatekept as SAG-AFTRA, but most professional actors are members.
Ireland
Ireland's acting industry punches well above its weight globally, with a vibrant theatre tradition and a booming screen sector driven by generous tax incentives. Dublin is the main hub, but opportunities exist across the country — particularly in Galway and Cork.
Ireland's screen industry has exploded in recent years, driven by Section 481 tax credits that attract international productions alongside a thriving domestic scene. Screen Ireland (formerly the Irish Film Board) funds and supports Irish productions, while studios like Ardmore, Troy, and Ashford have become major European production hubs.
The theatre tradition is Ireland's backbone. The Abbey Theatre (the national theatre), the Gate Theatre, Druid in Galway, and the Everyman in Cork are prestigious institutions. Many of Ireland's biggest screen stars — Cillian Murphy, Saoirse Ronan, Ruth Negga — built their careers through Irish theatre.
Spotlight Ireland is used alongside UK Spotlight, and many Irish actors maintain profiles on both. Some agents also use Casting Call Pro for theatre work and lower-budget screen projects.
The industry is small and relationship-driven. Dublin's acting community is tight-knit — your reputation matters enormously, and word travels fast.
Canada
Canada is a major production hub — particularly Toronto and Vancouver — with a unique blend of domestic and international (mainly US) productions. Understanding the union landscape, the self-tape culture, and the distinct dynamics of each city is key to navigating this market.
Canada's screen industry is driven by two forces: a robust domestic production sector and massive volumes of US productions filming in Canada for the favourable exchange rate and tax incentives.
Toronto is the centre of English-language Canadian TV, with major networks (CBC, CTV, Global) and streaming productions filming year-round. It's also a major hub for US productions — "Hollywood North."
Vancouver is the other "Hollywood North," particularly strong in sci-fi, fantasy, and genre productions. Many US TV series film here, alongside a healthy Canadian production scene.
Montreal is the centre of French-language production (Québécois industry), with a growing English-language scene. Halifax, Calgary, and Winnipeg have smaller but active production communities supported by provincial funding agencies.
The industry is unionised, and union status significantly affects your casting opportunities.
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