Want to act on a TV series someday? Sure you do, which means you’ll likely have to go (either directly or indirectly) through one of these people first. From NBC to ABC, Showtime, FX, and beyond, here are the television casting heads making big decisions—and whom you’d be wise to get to know.
ABC Entertainment and Disney+: Ayo Davis
Ayo Davis was named EVP of Talent and Casting at ABC Entertainment and Disney+ a little over a year ago. She works closely with the broadcast network and oversees the Disney+ team, leading the casting process during the streaming network’s debut last year. She previously worked on casting for “The Good Doctor,” “American Crime,” and “Lost.”
How to Get Cast on ABC Amazon Studios: Donna Rosenstein
Donna Rosenstein joined Amazon Studios four years ago as head of casting. Since then, the studio’s slate of original series has rapidly grown to include “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Goliath,” and “Man in the High Castle.”
CBS TV Casting: Claudia Lyon
Claudia Lyon joined CBS nearly a year ago as EVP Talent and Casting, overseeing CBS Entertainment’s talent and casting operations. During her previous tenure at ABC Studios, she worked on casting for “Grey’s Anatomy,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” and “Black-ish.”
The CW: Lori Openden
Lori Openden has worked as EVP of talent and casting for the CW for over a decade now. She’s helped cast teen classics like “The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl,” and “Cheers.” She was also directly involved with other 500 long-form projects at NBC.
READ: How to Get Cast on “Riverdale”
Disney Channel: Judy Taylor
Longtime Disney Channel SVP of casting Judy Taylor has cast some of the most iconic Disney Channel Original Movies. She was around for the original “High School Musical” and has more recently worked on casting for the Disney+ original “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”
READ: How to Get Cast on the Disney Channel
Disney TV Studios & FX Entertainment: Sharon Klein
Last year, Sharon Klein was named EVP for Disney TV Studios and FX Entertainment. She had previously led 20th Century Fox’s TV casting team for nearly two decades, helming projects like “Fosse/Verdon,” “Pose,” “Modern Family,” and “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” to name a few.
Fox Broadcasting Company: Tess Sanchez
Tess Sanchez was promoted to EVP of casting for Fox Broadcasting four years ago after spending 15 years leading casting for 20th Century Fox Television. She’s worked on casting for “Empire,” “Modern Family,” “Glee,” “How I Met Your Mother,” and “New Girl.”
Freeform: Elizabeth Boykewich
For the past four years, Freeform SVP of Talent and Casting Elizabeth Boykewich has overseen more than 125 current and developing projects for the network, as well as original movies for Disney+. She has helped cast “The Bold Type,” “Pretty Little Liars,” and “The Fosters.”
FX Entertainment: Michael Katcher
Last year, Michael Katcher was named to the newly-created role of EVP of casting for FX Entertainment. He previously oversaw shows like “Everybody Loves Raymond” and additionally helped cast giants “The Wonder Years” and “The Larry Sanders Show.”
How to Get Cast by FX NBC Entertainment: Grace Wu
As Executive VP of Casting, Grace Wu has been called NBC Entertainment’s “secret weapon.” Most recently, she’s helped cast “This is Us,” which is well known for its large cast and ensemble of A-listers (and award winners!).
Showtime: Amy Britt
As SVP of talent and casting at Showtime for nearly a decade, Amy Britt has worked on some of the network’s most popular and tentpole series, including “Shameless” and “Homeland.”
WarnerMedia: Linda Lowy
WarnerMedia head of casting Linda Lowy most recently joined on as executive VP of casting for HBOMax, in addition to her roles for TNT, TBS, and truTV. She’s known for her casting work on “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “Friday Night Lights.”
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