If “anyone can be anyone in the Circle,” there’s no reason you can’t be one of its next contestants. Netflix’s hit social media–inspired reality show debuted in January 2020 and is still going strong seven seasons in. Created and produced by Tim Harcourt, the competition series is an American take on the U.K. show of the same name. Harcourt and fellow producer Stephen Lambert together run Studio Lambert, which now oversees every iteration of the series (there is also “The Circle: Brazil” and “The Circle: France,” as well as the original U.K. version).
“The starting point I had is: What would a reality show look like where people never met face-to-face?” Harcourt told the New York Times.
Want to learn how you can be part of this hit reality show? In this in-depth guide to getting cast on “The Circle,” we share audition tips from previous cast members and producers—plus the latest updates on auditions and open casting calls.
JUMP TO
- What is “The Circle” about?
- Who is in the cast of “The Circle”?
- Who are the casting directors for “The Circle”?
- How does the casting process work for “The Circle”?
- When does filming for “The Circle” Season 8 start?
- Where can you find “The Circle” casting calls and auditions?
- What are the best audition tips for landing a spot on “The Circle”?
Netflix’s “The Circle” is a reality series hosted by comedian Michelle Buteau that focuses on alliances, budding romance, strategies, confrontations, and laughs. The show puts 11–14 competitors into the same building in their own apartments, so they never see one another face-to-face. The players then interact solely through profiles they create on a voice-activated social media app called the Circle. (Season 6 saw the show add an AI chatbot twist to the mix!) Players can present themselves in whatever way they want (cue catfishing!) with the goal of being voted the highest-rated player and winning $100,000—or more, if the Spice Girls happen to drop by.
Each season, contestants play mini-games with each other to earn “influencer” status through group ratings, allowing them to “block” or eliminate other players. On the season’s final episode, the last five contestants are ranked one last time. The contestant who is rated highest is the winner.
Season 7, which premiered Sept. 11, introduced a new round of competitors, including:
- Garret Caillouet, 29, Los Angeles
- Jadejha Edwards, 24, Houston
- Kevin Fernandez, 23, San Diego
- Antonio Hayes, 31, Nashville
- Darian Holt, 29, Houston
- Debora Levy, 54, Pittsburgh
- Savannah Miller, 22, Texarkana, Texas
- Heather Richardson, 26, Nashville
- Madelyn Rusinyak, 25, Atlanta
- Jojo and Nicky Scarlotta, 24, Staten Island
And Buteau, once again, returned to her position as host of the reality TV series.
Erin Tomasello (“America’s Got Talent,” “The Bachelor”) and Jazzy Collins (“The Traitors,” “Love Island USA”) are at the heart of the casting department. Both are advocates for diversity in casting, and Tomasello told Slate that “The Circle” allows them to cater to a wide range of viewers.
“There are hundreds of thousands of people that are dying to be on TV, but the hard part of our job is finding the stars among all of those hundreds of thousands, and weeding through and really finding true great ones,” Tomasello explained. “We get hundreds of thousands of applicants, and it’s about finding those ones that will touch the hearts of Americans. Relatability, right? I want to watch a show, and I want to relate to someone on that show. For me, watching ‘The Bachelor,’ I don’t relate to those girls. I don’t look like those girls. I want to watch a show and have something in common with them and relate to them and have a little heart as well. I think that’s what’s special about ‘The Circle.’ There’s a little bit of everything for everyone.”
When “The Circle” is actively casting, hopefuls will want to head straight to the show’s dedicated casting page where the “Apply Now” button will ultimately lead them to the application. According to Distractify, applicants need only be age 18 or older and legal residents of the U.S. or Canada to participate in the American offshoot of the franchise. As with many other reality TV shows, those who make it to the later rounds of the vetting process will likely have to undergo a psychological assessment and background check. Past contestants also told the outlet that those who make it to the second phase of casting have to provide their social media handles, photos of themselves, and an introductory video.
For those who cannot wait to get a foot in the door, Netflix allows potential contestants from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland to submit a one-minute video at any time for consideration when casting future seasons of the show. But as the site notes, you better be ready to share some insight into your strategy, as the casting process might just be more competitive than “The Circle” itself!
Although the first five seasons of the show were filmed in the Adelphi Wharf neighborhood of Salford, England, those apartments were converted back to regular flats ahead of Season 6, leading production to move its U.S. base of operations to Atlanta, according to Deadline.
While the Season 7 finale drops Oct. 2, there’s still no word on whether or not “The Circle” will be renewed for Season 8. Check back for updates on the series’ fate!
In the summer of 2020, Netflix posted a casting call for “The Circle” Season 2 with us. According to the notice, the show was seeking talent, aged 21–75, of all ethnicities, and planned to shoot for six weeks in October and November 2020. Pay was $100 per day, with shooting and travel expenses provided. Among other requirements, those applying were asked for their name and social media handles, as well as a proposed strategy for the competition. There was also a video component, in which applicants were asked to showcase their personalities and share their life stories with casting directors, producers, and executives.
For those eager to join upcoming seasons of “The Circle,” we suggest staying up-to-date by following the show’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts. Both pages provide information about the audition process, plus casting news. Along with these resources, check out our reality TV gig roundup, which includes projects that are seeking talent now. You can also bookmark our main casting call page, which regularly updates as new opportunities become available.
If you’re hoping to get cast on future seasons, it pays to be prepared. Here are some tips from the cast and crew that can help you shine both in person and online.
Make a plan for the game ahead of time. “Make sure you have a strategy already made up and down pat,” said Season 1 contestant Antonio DePína. “And just be yourself times 10,000. Be super extra so they can get your personality!”
Don’t knock it until you try it. “I was hesitant, just because I am an actor,” said Season 1 winner Joey Sasso. “I’ve been in the business so many years and am used to this stigma that doing reality TV means the death of your career. I turned down other reality opportunities before; but there’s never one that I heard of that’s quite like this, where I can truly just go in and represent myself. I’m not in a house with other people starting drama, getting drunk, and hooking up with people, like we’re so used to seeing.”
Be yourself. “Don’t pretend to be anybody but yourself. Don’t put on a show. Don’t say things you think we want to hear because you think it’s going to help your chances,” CD Tomasello shared. “The magic happens when you’re speaking from the heart and you’re just truly being yourself.”
Connect with your character. “Truthfully, bring big energy,” advised Season 1 contestant Seaburn Williams. “And…if you catfish, you will have to really relate to the character, or it won’t work. You have to emotionally connect to that person. That’s why I chose my girl, because she was my light.”
Have fun. “My advice would be: Don’t hold anything back,” said Season 1 contestant Ed Eason. “Whether [you’re] being yourself on the show or someone else, go all in from the beginning to the very end. Whatever your strategy, be sure that you leave with no regrets—nothing left unsaid. Let your voice be heard, and express yourself. Don’t care what people think about you. Have fun with it!”
Looking for remote work? Backstage has got you covered! Click here for auditions you can do from home!