Stay in the loop on industry and casting news with our write-up on who’s been slated for recent film and television roles!
Please note that shoot dates are subject to state and county restrictions and may change. Refer to Call Sheet for updates, and keep checking Backstage for the latest news on project development during this time.
“Halston”
Ryan Murphy has a knack for taking on stories of iconic figures both real and fictional. He’s tackled the trial of O.J. Simpson, the murder of Gianni Versace, and most recently, Nurse Ratched, the antagonist of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Now, the prolific creator is delving into the fashion world once more with his next project, “Halston.” The Netflix limited series will follow famed fashion mogul Roy Halston Frowick, whose career skyrocketed in the 1970s. The designer, who created the pillbox hat Jackie Kennedy wore at her husband’s inauguration, later became a noted figure in the disco scene, frequenting Studio 54 and running in celebrity circles. Though Halston’s brand is still around today, the man himself died of AIDS-related lung cancer in 1990. The series, cast by Laura Rosenthal, has already signed Ewan McGregor for the title role, as well as Rory Culkin, Krysta Rodriguez, Rebecca Dayan, Sullivan Jones, Gian Franco Rodriguez, and David Pittu. The project has been delayed by the pandemic, but production is set to begin before the end of the year in New York City.
“The Big Leap”
U.K. docuseries “Big Ballet” will be fictionalized for U.S. audiences in a new series from Fox. The show will follow a diverse group of underdogs who are vying to be part of a reality series that’s putting together an updated, unorthodox staging of “Swan Lake.” The series will be written by “The Passage” creator Liz Heldens. Laura Benanti, Scott Foley, Matt Lucas, Teri Polo, Simone Recasner, Raymond Cham Jr., Ser’Darius Blain, and Jon Rudnitsky are all on board for the pilot, which is being cast by Telsey + Company. Production is set to begin in November or December in Chicago.
“Like It Used to Be”
Comedy “Like It Used to Be” will star Gina Rodriguez as a woman who, after receiving life-altering news, convinces her four best friends to join her on a road trip to Mexico. The film is from Broken English Productions, a company committed to telling stories about the Latinx experience, alongside Rodriguez’s own I Can & I Will Productions. Carla Hool Casting has also nabbed Karla Souza (“How to Get Away With Murder”) for a supporting role. Production is set to start in November in Ensenada, Mexico.
For the latest news, check out backstage.com/resources to find thousands of production listings, casting directors, acting classes, agents, and more!
This story originally appeared in the Oct. 8 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.