In the competitive world of acting, having an agent can be a game changer for your career. An acting agent acts as your personal advocate, using their industry connections and expertise to find you opportunities that are not always accessible through public channels. Although there are more than 1,400 agents listed in the Spotlight directory, it can still seem overwhelming to secure your first acting agent in the UK.
Knowing what you want from your career can help you find a good match, as will researching each agent before approaching them. It’s common to face rejection along the way, so try not to take it to heart. If you are confident in your ability and systematic in your approach, you should find an agent willing to take you on.
An agent represents performing artists, helping them secure auditions and land roles. They negotiate contracts and terms of employment, aiming to secure the best possible deal for their clients. “An agent is essentially a bridge between an actor and the industry’s casting directors,” explains Edwin Lowe, a London-based acting agent and founder of 1 Artists Agency. “Our job is to promote and support our clients at every step of their careers.”
Lowe works closely with the actors on his books, helping them to improve their online profiles and supporting them with self-taping, headshots, and branding. “When work is booked, your agent represents you through contract negotiations, looks after you while you’re working on the project, and then, after the work is completed, follows up by invoicing and retrieving fees for you,” explains Lowe. “The agent and actor are trying to create a working relationship that creates a consistent work stream from job to job, gaining experience on the way to build each other’s careers.”
“It’s important for an actor to have an agent,” says Annelie Powell CDG, a London-based freelance casting director who works across film, television, and theatre. “The world of an actor can be very lonely, and it’s great to work in partnership with someone to maximise your opportunities. Most agents are brilliant, hardworking, and really believe in their clients and their work.” However, she says it’s not imperative to have an agent: “We certainly audition people who are self-represented.”
So, ready to find your future agent? Follow these steps:
1. Create a shortlist of agents
Finding the right agent is about assessing how their expertise aligns with your career goals. Research is vital. Start by identifying agencies that have a good track record with actors at your career level. Whenever you watch a play, film or TV show, check the credits and note which agents represent actors whose careers you admire and whose trajectory you’d like to follow. Draw up a list of your preferred agents and work your way through it, starting with your first choice.
2. Prepare your portfolio
Before approaching any agent, ensure your acting CV is polished and you have professionally shot and up-to-date headshots. It is also essential to have a showreel that showcases your talent. If you’re new to the industry, include scenes from drama school productions or any independent work you’ve done. “A strong reel can set you apart from the crowd,” Lowe advises. “It gives us a glimpse of your range and ability.”
Casting director Gemma Hancock, who casts BBC recurring dramas such as Casualty and Silent Witness, says that with the recording capability of smartphones, there is no excuse not to have a showreel. “Write yourself a monologue in a character that you can see yourself cast as and record it. Or get an acting friend to perform a scene with you. We want to see you in action, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money on expensive showreels,” she says.
3. Make contact with potential agents
Most agencies have submission guidelines listed on their website. Follow these instructions meticulously. Typically, this involves sending an introductory email with your headshot, CV, and reel attached. Personalise your email; mention why you feel you would be a good fit for this particular agency and reference specific actors they represent whose careers you admire. “Be clear and concise with emails, directing them to the specific person you are looking to connect with,” advises Lowe. “Address the agent by their name and show you’ve done your research by telling them about their clients or the work they've booked. It also never hurts to ask for an online or face-to-face meeting.”
4. Attend meetings with interested agents
If an agent is interested, they’ll either offer to take you on straight away or invite you to meet. This is your opportunity to impress, so treat it like any job interview. Be professional, punctual, and prepared. Discuss your experience, your career aspirations, and what you believe you can bring to the agency.
“When I met my new agent, Lesley Duff at Diamond Management, I really loved our chat,” says actress Emma Noakes. “We spoke about where I wanted my career to go, what she could help with, and how she saw me as an actor. Some of it aligned, but she also challenged me. I liked that straight away. Since that first meeting, she has continued to bring a fresh pair of eyes, but also a new energy and enthusiasm to my career.”
The real work begins once you’ve signed with an agent. Keep them updated with any new skills or major changes to your appearance – and remember to keep your headshots up to date, too. This will help your agent market you appropriately. You should still continue creating your own opportunities; having an agent doesn’t mean stopping trying to find work yourself.
“I was lucky to sign with my first agent before leaving drama school,” says Noakes. “I’d won the Carleton Hobbs Award and so went straight into a five-month contract with the BBC Radio Drama Company. I was so incredibly grateful for the opportunity, and I loved every minute of it. Once that contract ended, my agent’s priority was for me to get a credit in every medium. A tiny part in a film, then an episode in a TV police drama, before getting my first theatre in The Sea at Theatre Royal Haymarket.”
Although Noakes made a great start, she didn’t become complacent. “Back then, I’d often look at a theatre season and then research the plays, directors, and casting directors. I’d work out when rehearsals would likely start then take a guess at when they’d be casting and email the casting director. This would often work, and I was and am so grateful to all those lovely casting directors who got me in. I always tried not to sit back and wait for my agent to ring me.”
Securing an agent is a significant step forward in any actor’s career. It opens doors to opportunities that might otherwise be unreachable. By understanding the function of an agent, preparing thoroughly, and approaching the best agents for your career aspirations, you’ll put yourself in the best possible position to succeed.
