Casting directors are key figures in the Irish acting industry. They’re the people who match actors with roles, organize auditions, and present options to directors and producers. Understanding how they work — and how to approach them professionally — is an essential skill for any actor in Ireland.
This guide explains what casting directors do, when and how to submit to them, what they actually want to see, and how to avoid common mistakes that damage your chances.
What casting directors actually do
Casting directors are hired by productions (theatre, film, TV, commercials) to find the right actors for specific roles. Their job is to:
- Understand what the director and producers are looking for
- Search for suitable actors (through agents, databases, submissions and their own networks)
- Organize auditions and self-tape submissions
- Present shortlisted actors to the creative team
- Negotiate availability and fees with agents or actors directly
In Ireland, most professional casting directors work on multiple projects at once, across theatre, film, TV and commercials. Some are freelance, others work for casting agencies or production companies.
They are not agents. They don’t represent you or promote your career. Their loyalty is to the production, not to individual actors. However, if you consistently do good work and behave professionally, casting directors will remember you and consider you for future projects.
How casting directors find actors in Ireland
Casting directors use several methods to find actors:
Through agents
Most professional roles go through agents first. Casting directors send breakdowns (descriptions of available roles) to agencies, who then submit their clients. This is the primary route for paid, professional work.
If you have an agent, most of your audition opportunities will come through them. You generally should not submit directly to casting directors for roles your agent is handling.
Direct submissions (when appropriate)
For some projects, casting directors accept direct submissions from actors without agents. This is more common for:
- Low-budget independent films
- Short films and student projects
- Theatre productions with open casting calls
- Specific roles requiring niche skills or looks
When direct submissions are welcomed, casting directors will usually make this clear through public casting calls, social media posts or industry platforms.
Their own databases and networks
Experienced casting directors maintain databases of actors they’ve worked with or seen in productions. If you’ve made a strong impression in previous auditions, theatre shows or on-screen work, casting directors may reach out directly when suitable roles come up.
Spotting actors in productions
Casting directors regularly attend theatre, watch Irish TV and film, and keep track of emerging talent. Doing visible, quality work is one of the best ways to get on their radar.
When to submit to casting directors (and when not to)
Do submit when:
- A public casting call explicitly invites direct submissions
- You fit a very specific brief (unusual skill, specific look, particular accent or language)
- You’re responding to an advertised open audition
- The project is student/short film work and direct applications are expected
- A casting director has previously told you to stay in touch for future projects
Don’t submit when:
- The role is being handled through agents only
- There’s no specific casting call or open opportunity
- You’re just hoping to “get on their radar” with a generic email
- You don’t fit the role description at all
- Your materials aren’t ready (poor headshots, no showreel, incomplete CV)
Submitting when it’s not appropriate wastes the casting director’s time and damages your professional reputation. Less is more.
How to submit professionally
When you do submit to a casting director in Ireland, follow these guidelines:
Email format
- Subject line: Role name, your name, and relevant detail. Example: “Maeve submission – Sarah O’Connor – native Irish speaker”
- Greeting: Use their name if you know it. “Dear [Name]” or “Hello [Name]”
- Brief introduction: One or two sentences max. Who you are, why you’re suitable for this specific role
- Relevant details: Highlight experience, skills or attributes that match the role brief
- Attachments: Headshot, CV, showreel link (if you have one). Keep file sizes reasonable
- Sign off: Professional and polite. Include your contact details
What to include
- Headshot: Current, professional, accurately represents how you look now
- CV: One page, clearly formatted, relevant credits and training
- Showreel link: Only if you have one, and only if it’s good quality and relevant
- Specific skills: If the role requires accents, physicality, languages or special skills, mention them clearly
What not to do
- Don’t send long, rambling emails about your passion for acting
- Don’t exaggerate your experience or lie about your skills
- Don’t attach huge video files (use Vimeo or YouTube links)
- Don’t follow up multiple times if you don’t hear back
- Don’t send generic mass emails with no reference to the specific project
- Don’t be overly familiar or try to be funny unless you’re certain it will land well
What casting directors actually look for
When reviewing submissions, Irish casting directors are assessing:
Suitability for the role
Do you match the age range, physical description, character type? Can you do the accent or speak the language required? Casting directors need actors who fit the brief, not actors who think they can stretch into any role.
Professionalism
Are your materials current and well-presented? Is your email clear and concise? Do you come across as reliable and easy to work with?
Experience and training
Have you done relevant work before? Do you have training or a track record that suggests you can handle the demands of the role and production?
Availability
Are you actually available for the shoot dates, rehearsal period or run? There’s no point submitting if you’re not free.
Building relationships with casting directors
Getting regular auditions from casting directors in Ireland takes time and consistent professionalism. Here’s how to build those relationships:
Do good auditions
Prepare thoroughly, make strong choices, take direction well, and be pleasant to work with. Even if you don’t book the role, a good audition impression means casting directors will call you back for future projects.
Be reliable
Show up on time, learn your lines, follow instructions. If you commit to an audition time, honor it. If you need to cancel, do so as early as possible with a genuine reason.
Do visible work
Perform in theatre productions, appear in short films, build a body of work that casting directors can see. Quality work in smaller projects often leads to bigger opportunities.
Stay professional on social media
Casting directors sometimes check actors’ social media. Keep your public profiles professional. Don’t badmouth productions, casting directors or other actors.
Don’t pester
Checking in once a year with an updated headshot or showreel is fine. Weekly emails asking if there’s anything available is not. Respect their time.
Common mistakes actors make with casting directors
Avoid these errors that damage your chances:
Submitting when you’re not right for the role
If the breakdown asks for a woman in her 60s and you’re a man in your 20s, don’t submit hoping they’ll “see something in you.” It wastes everyone’s time and makes you look unprofessional.
Sending outdated or misleading materials
If your headshot is five years old or your showreel includes work that doesn’t represent your current ability, don’t send it. Casting directors need to know what you actually look like and what you can actually do now.
Being pushy or entitled
You’re not owed an audition. Casting directors have specific briefs to fill and limited time. Polite, professional submissions are fine. Demanding responses or follow-ups are not.
Badmouthing other casting directors or productions
The Irish industry is small. If you complain publicly about a casting process or director, word will spread. Keep your frustrations private.
Lying about your skills
If you say you can do a Northern Irish accent and you can’t, you’ll be found out in the audition. Don’t claim skills you don’t have.
What to do if you don’t hear back
In most cases, no response means you weren’t selected. This is standard practice and doesn’t reflect on you personally — the casting director may have received hundreds of submissions.
- Don’t follow up asking why you weren’t chosen
- Don’t send multiple emails asking for feedback
- Don’t take it personally or assume you did something wrong
- Do keep doing good work and submitting appropriately for future projects
If you consistently get auditions but rarely book roles, consider getting feedback from your acting teacher or coach rather than from casting directors directly.
Finding casting directors in Ireland
To find out who’s casting what in Ireland:
- Follow Irish casting directors on social media (many share open calls)
- Check casting platforms and actor resources
- Stay connected with other actors who share information about open auditions
- Join industry groups and mailing lists
- Attend industry events and screenings where casting directors may be present
For more guidance on preparing strong audition materials, see our guide to headshots, showreels and CVs for actors in Ireland.
Final thoughts
Casting directors are gatekeepers to professional acting work in Ireland, but they’re not adversaries. They want to find great actors who fit their roles. Your job is to make that process easy for them by submitting professionally, preparing thoroughly, and building a reputation as someone who’s talented, reliable and pleasant to work with.
Focus on doing good work, building your skills, and being professional in every interaction. Over time, casting directors will come to know and trust you — and that’s when opportunities start to multiply.