Casting Confidential

In the Season 4 finale of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down with Emmy-winning casting director Allison Jones—the casting force behind Veep, The Comeback, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, Barbie, and generations of defining comedy ensembles.The conversation arrives as Allison’s latest project, the Apple TV+ series Widow’s Bay, emerges as one of this year’s Emmy surprises. The genre-bending comedy earned 19 nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series and recognition for six members of its cast.Allison shares how the Widow’s Bay ensemble came together, including the nerve-racking visa race to secure British actress Kate O’Flynn, now an Emmy nominee for her performance in the series.Rose and Allison also talk candidly about how casting decisions are actually made: the long lists, months spent waiting for studio decisions, and the strange reality that casting directors are often the last people to learn whether an actor has been approved.Allison reflects on how the process has changed since she began casting in the early 1980s—from the months-long chaos of traditional pilot season to today’s self-tapes, Zoom auditions, and worldwide casting searches. She also explains why authenticity matters more than elaborate self-tape production. The performance is the point—not perfect lighting.The episode closes with a live feedback session featuring returning guest Connor Ratliff, actor, comedian, and host of the podcast Dead Eyes. Connor performs a monologue and receives real-time notes from Allison before sharing the remarkable story behind the title of his podcast.It’s a candid conversation about building ensembles, recognizing distinctive performers, navigating an unpredictable business, and creating work that lasts.Sponsor:Rafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Continue the Conversation in The Casting LabThe public episode is only part of the conversation.Join The Casting Lab on Patreon for bonus discussions, extended conversations, live Q&As, and the complete Season 4 archive—available throughout the show’s hiatus.Join The Casting Labhttps://www.patreon.com/c/castingconfidentialCasting Confidential Official MerchandiseShop Casting Confidential merchandiseFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Allison JonesConnor RatliffEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFollow Casting Confidential:Follow the @castingconfidential and join us in The Casting Lab on Patreon:@castingconfidentialThe Casting Lab on Patreon**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

Rose Rosen and a panel of CASTING LAB casting directors-- Cheryl Louden-Kubin, Robin Carus and Kimberly Skyrme tackle a word actors use constantly to describe casting — and pull it apart. Are casting directors really standing between actors and opportunity, or is something else going on?The panel makes the case for retiring that old framing altogether, offering sharper, truer alternatives: conduit, facilitator, creative collaborator. They talk through what casting directors actually control versus what comes down from producers and directors, why self-taping has widened the door rather than narrowed it, and what actors can do — from self-identifying in submissions to simply stating their location — to make it easier to be seen and considered.It's an honest, no-mythology look at how decisions really get made, and a mindset shift worth sitting with.Sponsor:Rafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use codeCONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Go Deeper on PatreonJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.patreon.com/castingconfidentialShop our Merch Store here:https://castingconfidential.dashery.comFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingPANELCheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA@loudenkubinKimberly Skyrme, CSAhttps://www.instagram.com/kimberlyskyrmeRobin Carushttps://www.instagram.com/robincarusEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialhttps://www.instagram.com/castingconfidential/Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidential**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

Lamorne Morris has always been one of the most thoughtful actors working today.Not long after his Emmy-winning performance in Fargo and his standout role in Saturday Night, he joined Rose Rosen for a candid conversation about building a career that lasts.We're bringing this episode back because it's just as relevant now as it was then. Lamorne talks about navigating success after New Girl, why comedy is often underestimated, the reality of auditions, developing new projects, producing, podcasting, and the business decisions actors rarely hear about. With the benefit of hindsight—and an Emmy on his shelf—you can hear the mindset that helped get him there.In this episode:Life after New GirlWinning opportunities long before winning awardsWhat actors misunderstand about career longevityComedy, drama, and breaking expectationsAuditions, casting, and staying readyProducing, podcasting, and creating your own opportunitiesThe business side of being a working actorWhether you already know Lamorne from New Girl, Fargo, Saturday Night, or his podcasts, this conversation offers an honest look at what it really takes to build a lasting career.SPONSOR:RAFY APPDiscount code: CONFIDENTIAL15Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONhttps://www.patreon.com/c/castingconfidentialJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.Shop Our New Merch Store Here:https://castingconfidential.dashery.comJOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Lamorne Morris@lamorneEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreonOpinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

Together, our Casting Lab Casting Directors dig into why talented actors don't always land the role, what "booking the room" really means in practice, and the professional habits that determine whether casting wants to see you again. They also share the story of an actor who was found years later through notes a casting director never deleted. That's not luck. That's what happens when you leave the right impression.Whether you're trying to understand why you keep coming close but not landing the role, or you're ready to build the kind of reputation that makes casting directors your advocates, this episode is for you.SPONSOR: RAFY APP https://rafy.app/ — Use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit https://rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Join The Casting Lab on Patreon for:bonus episodes • extended conversations • monthly live Q&As • exclusive discussions you won't hear on the public podcasthttps://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidentialFor more episodes and resources, visit https://castingconfidential.comCREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSAhttps://instagram.com/roserosencastingGUESTS:Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSAhttps://instagram.com/loudenkubinRobin Carus, CSAhttps://instagram.com/robincarusEditorMZ Studioshttps://mzstudiosdallas.comOriginal MusicOrville Wrighthttps://instagram.com/ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Andersonhttps://instagram.com/aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:https://instagram.com/castingconfidentialhttps://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidentialOpinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

This episode of Casting Confidential was recorded live at the Imagine Museum during the Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida — and it was a conversation worth being in the room for.Rose Rosen sits down with Canadian-American actress Alison Thornton, known for School Spirits, Nancy Drew, Dare Me, The Mental State, and the festival film What Comes Next, for a candid, grounded conversation about what it actually takes to build a career in this industry and keep loving it along the way.Alison started working professionally at 10 years old, booking her first job within three months of getting an agent, and she hasn't stopped since. In this conversation, she talks about learning on set as a kid, navigating rejection before she had the emotional framework to contextualize it, and the shift from simply taking direction to developing a real artistic point of view.They dig into the self-tape process — the pros, the pitfalls, the diminishing returns of take nine, and why some of Alison's best recent work was recorded at 3am in a temple in Japan. They talk about what casting is actually looking for versus what actors assume casting is looking for, the difference between doing good work and trying to be perfect, and why staying curious as a human being is one of the most underrated tools in a performer's toolkit.The episode also features a live Q&A with the Sunscreen audience, a real-time scene with live feedback, and a genuinely fun, unfiltered exchange between Rose and Alison that captures exactly what makes this show worth listening to.Whether you're early in your career or deep in the middle of it, this one has something for you.SPONSOR:RAFY APP — Use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% offRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process.Episode Sponsors:Sunscreen Film Festivalhttps://sunscreenfilmfestival.comImagine Museumhttps://www.imaginemuseum.comRafy Apphttps://rafy.appGO DEEPER ON PATREON:Join the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN PATREON HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGuestAlison Thornton@ali.g.thorntonEditorMZ StudiosCamera:Joel Goldberg@filmmakingiswhatido Feedback Actor:Meryl Rifkinhttps://www.instagram.com/meryl_rifkin_realtorOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFollow the show and join our community on socials:@castingconfidentialPatreon**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

What does it really take to attach a recognizable actor to a project? Not a wish list. Not a phone call to an agent. Not magic. In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down with roundtable casting directors Cheryl Louden-Kubin and Robin Carus to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood processes in the industry.They break down how casting directors define "name talent" (hint: it's not one-size-fits-all), what producers need to have in place before they can even begin chasing a name, and why proof of funding often matters more than the script itself.Robin walks through the real-time experience of attaching three marquee names — Tony Danza, Tom Cavanagh, and Michael Longfellow — to an off-Broadway production in just two and a half weeks, navigating cabaret schedules, Netflix specials, and a revolving cast of agents and managers on a chain email nobody wanted to be on.But this conversation isn't just for producers.The same principles that help projects attract talent are the principles that help actors book work. Casting, at every level, comes down to one question: Do you make the decision easier?Whether you're trying to land your next role or package your next project, this episode offers a rare look at the business side of casting that most people never get to see.SPONSOR: RAFY APPDiscount code: CONFIDENTIAL15Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry. JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITSHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA @roserosencastingGUESTS: Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA@loudenkubinRobin Carus, CSA@robincarusEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS: @castingconfidential Patreon**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down with Emmy Award-winning casting director Linda Lowy and Emmy-nominated casting director Morgan Smith of Backyard Casting for one of the most candid, insider conversations the show has ever had.Together, they pull back the curtain on how casting decisions really get made — from building ensemble casts for major television series, to navigating the executive world of HBO Max, to surviving a merger, a strike, and finding their way back to the work they love.Linda and Morgan share the story behind casting Apple TV+’s Imperfect Women alongside already-attached stars Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss — including the months-long search to find their third lead, Kate Mara. They also talk about returning to Hacks, after Linda helped shape the show from the inside during her time at HBO Max.They go deep on the professional relationship that defines Backyard Casting: how they divide the work, how they handle disagreement, and why casting is ultimately a math problem wrapped in taste.Then, in a special Casting Confidential Feedback Session, Patreon member and actor Kimberly McCoin performs an original scene written specifically for this episode, and Linda and Morgan deliver real, in-the-moment direction — the kind actors rarely get access to.This episode is honest, warm, and loaded with insight for actors at every level.About the GuestsLinda Lowy is a three-time Emmy Award-winning casting director and four-time Artios Award winner whose work has helped define modern television. Her credits include Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Station 19, Friday Night Lights, Inventing Anna, Hacks, and Apple TV+'s Imperfect Women. She is a recipient of the Casting Society's prestigious Hoyt Bowers Award and is co-founder of Backyard Casting.Morgan Smith is an Emmy-nominated casting director and co-founder of Backyard Casting. She has worked alongside Linda Lowy across many of television's most acclaimed series, including Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Station 19, Inventing Anna, Hacks, and Imperfect Women.SponsorRAFY APPRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Go Deeper on PatreonJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry — including member opportunities like the Feedback Session featured in this episode.JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CreditsHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGuestsLinda Lowy@lindalowycastingMorgan Smith@morgansmithcastingFeedback Actor:Kimberly McCoin@presently_poisedEditor MZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFollow the Show@castingconfidentialPatreonpatreon.com/castingconfidentialcastingconfidential.com**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.

This episode was recorded LIVE in London at the WeAudition Actor's Pro Expo In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down LIVE with two of the most respected international casting directors working today — Nancy Bishop, CSA, and Mark Summers , CSA— for an unfiltered, live conversation about what actually happens on the other side of the audition room.From the real reasons actors don't get cast, to how to connect with casting directors like a human being, to what the industry looks like in 2026 and beyond, this episode is packed with honest, practical insight that actors at every level need to hear.Nancy and Mark pull no punches on the name game in film, the evolving role of self-tapes, what your headshot and showreel are actually for, and why staying in the conversation — and creating your own work — may be the most important thing you can do right now.Follow Actor's Pro Expo on Instagram @actorsproexpo for up to date info on both their in person Expo in London every year and the upcoming virtual expo Verticast Actor's Pro Expo!We'll be there!SPONSORRAFY APP — Use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry. JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITSHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGuestsNancy Bishop, CSA@nancybishopcastingMark Summers@marksummerscastingOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFollow the Show@castingconfidentialPatreon**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment.