Created by Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn, “Penelope” isn’t your average coming-of-age story—but it has nothing to do with the show’s unique premise. Instead, “Penelope” represents one of the first-ever indie-financed series to subsequently sign a distribution deal with a major network or streaming service after it had already been produced. “There was a moment where I think Mark and I said, ‘Should we change this for what they’re asking for?’ And that was a pretty quick moment. And we very quickly said, ‘No,’ and then said, ‘Should we go make a whole season of our own and pay for it—just go for it and not wait around for someone to say yes?’” Eslyn told THR. “We did, and I think that was for us a brave moment.”
Season 1 premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, garnering interest from Netflix, which ultimately acquired the series. And now, with the show set to debut on Sept. 24, it’s garnering even more buzz for its bucking industry norms. If you want to get in on this groundbreaking show, this guide features everything you need to know about getting cast on Netflix’s “Penelope,” including insights into the casting process and audition advice from the series’ talented ensemble.
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“Penelope” follows its titular character, played by Megan Stott, a teenager who feels out of place in modern society. With the allure of the outdoors calling to her, Penelope abandons the reality she’s known to create a new life for herself in the wilderness. Along with those she meets along the way, the coming-of-age story explores what it means to discover your true self in a world overwhelmed by messages about who you should be.
Season 1 of “Penelope” features:
- Megan Stott as Penelope
- Austin Abrams as Sam
- Krisha Fairchild as Helena
- Rhenzy Feliz as Peter
- Cynthia Geary as Penelope’s Mom
- Barry O’Neil as Penelope’s Dad
- Eden Campbell as Whispering Girl
- Julia Higheagle as Whispering Girl
- Eddie Wollrabe as Cashier
- Amber Wolfe as Gale
- Butch Stevenson as Guard
- Tadd Sackville-West as Jonathan
- Finley Sackville-West as Finley
Amey René (“The Voyeurs,” “Everything Sucks!”) serves as the casting director for “Penelope.” From the show’s Sundance Film Festival premiere to its impending debut on Netflix, René continues to share her excitement about the project on Instagram. But that’s no surprise: As the CD told John Rosenfeld Studios, getting to see the final product has become her favorite part of the casting process.
“I’m usually the second or third person to read the script,” René said, “so to see how it all came together is so fun! Especially when the actors just shine.”
As René told “One on One,” she specializes in casting younger performers. After all, she cast the Sydney Sweeney of “Euphoria” fame in “Everything Sucks!”—which ultimately launched the “White Lotus” star’s soaring career. She added that, when it comes to casting, “It’s not about this job; it’s about the next 10 jobs that we get to work on together. And I think if actors have that perspective of it, that it’s really about building these relationships so that you’re getting referred by somebody or a casting director says, ‘Hey! You’re really great. You know what show you would be great for? This show!’”
With about 15 years of experience under her belt, the CD has worked on both studio and indie projects, so she knows a thing or two about how their casting processes differ. “Anytime you’re working with a big studio/network there is a strict protocol and hierarchy of approvals needed. On indies, the process is a little more relaxed but you have to be creative,” she told John Rosenfeld Studios. “We don’t always have big budgets (like never) so my ideas have to come from a creative perspective—what actors are looking for a Sundance movie to add to their résumé? What actors that usually get cast in comedies want to showcase their dramatic chops (and vice versa)? Who has so much money that it doesn’t matter and just wants to work on telling great stories?
“I also work with a lot of newbie directors and directors that are also the writer of the script. I have to be able to adjust my language depending on what type of director I’m working with. Some know every actor, some know none,” she continued. “Some understand the agent/manager relationship, some just want to send an instagram message to the actor. So there is some educating I have to do with the team depending on their understanding of what my department does.”
But as René noted, every project is different, and her first step is to determine who the true decision maker is so she can understand how to persuade them her team’s pick is the right choice for a project. “Sometimes it’s completely free and the director can actually make the final decision. More often than not it’s whoever is giving their money to the project—while they may not have the real final say, we have to convince them why our opinion is the best. When it’s a studio/network, it’s whoever is the head boss signing off on the casting. A very big network TV boss once said, “Cast the best actor,” when the team was stuck between two choices. Great advice and that show made a star out of that choice.”
Series creators Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn Credit: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
As Duplass told THR, the indie approach allows the show’s creative team to have the final say on what’s to come in Season 2. “Ideally, we see how we do on Netflix. In the event that it’s a blowout success, you might see a bigger scope for season two,” he explained. “In the event that it’s a moderate success, we might write it for a smaller scope, but at least we’re in the driver’s seat now as to whether we get to keep making this show.”
With Season 2 of “Penelope” still up in the air, no open casting calls or auditions are currently available for Netflix’s new indie series. If you are looking to get cast with the streamer now, this roundup of Netflix gigs and other similar projects will help get you started. We also suggest bookmarking our main casting page for the latest opportunities as they become available. In the meantime, check out our guide on how to audition for Netflix so you’re prepped and ready when the time comes.
Stott came to fame on Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere,” alongside industry veterans Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. As Stott told V Magazine, both actresses were overflowing with knowledge, but it was the “Scandal” star’s advice that really stuck with Stott. “My favorite lesson [Washington] taught me was that ‘you have to bring your best to the table, whether you’re at home, acting with your friend, or acting in practice circles. Being able to do it when you’re not in coverage, always putting your best foot forward,’” she said.
Of course, having accumulated some experience of his own, Austin Abrams (Sam) told Backstage that if he were to talk to his younger self, he’d say: “Relax a little bit, and make sure and enjoy what you're doing. It’s just really a joy, what you're doing. Take it easy. Focus on liking what you’re doing, because I do feel like the more you enjoy it, then the more you're going to be able to advance and the more people are going to enjoy your performance. You were able to do that and everything comes together.”
Crafting a performance, Rhenzy Feliz (Peter) told Collider, starts with locating your costars’ energy and reacting to it “where it’s fun.” By embracing this concept, no matter where you are in the casting process, your own performance can flourish. “Obviously everyone’s different, so when you find that person’s feel and you can bounce off of it, it’s great. I do really enjoy getting to find that with new people,” he said. “The thing I love about acting is that it’s new, every single time. Every scene I do, I haven’t done it before. Every movie I do, I haven’t done it before. Every cast that I work with and crew, I haven’t met them before. In some cases, maybe you have, but you haven’t worked with them on this specific thing. Getting to find that new thing, every time, is always really exciting.”