To state the obvious, talent comes from all over the UK, not just London. The capital may seem like the centre of the industry, but outside the M25, actors and creatives are thriving. Leading the charge is Manchester, home to iconic productions like Coronation Street, renowned theatres such as the Lowry and the Royal Exchange, as well as the BBC’s largest regional hub.
The city has also produced stars such as Ian McKellen, Maxine Peake, Suranne Jones, and Steve Coogan, reinforcing its reputation as a hothouse for performing talent. Manchester boasts a vibrant performance scene, and where talent flourishes, you’ll find agents eager to spot the next big thing. You don’t need to sign with a major London agency to succeed; Manchester offers a host of well-established agencies with strong industry connections lining up to rep top performers. Here are some of the best.
Narrow Road is a well-established, family-run agency with offices in both Manchester Deansgate and London. Set up over 40 years ago, the agency has 10 agents looking after over 300 actors, writers, technicians, and designers. With all that creativity on their books, there are plenty of opportunities for a spot of inter-agency networking. For example, Narrow Road actor Rosa Hesmondhalgh appeared in We Could All Be Perfect, written by fellow Narrow Road client Hannah Morley, at the Sheffield Playhouse. If theatre isn’t your thing, the agency also has specialist services for clients wanting to focus on voice acting or more commercial work. Its clients are also currently working on the West End, for Apple TV+ and Disney, and on northern casting powerhouse Coronation Street.
How to contact: Email the team at representation@narrowroad.co.uk. For more details check out their website.
Boutique, cutting-edge, and modern – that’s how the Alex Priestley Talent agency describes itself. The agency is relatively new, starting in 2018, but Priestley has a lot of experience and has helped nurture the careers of talent such as Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel, Ready Player One), and TV presenter and disability advocate George Webster. With just under 100 clients, Priestley and her colleague Georgia Padfield can offer the bespoke personal service that comes with a smaller client list. They’re keen for invites to any performances you have coming up and really stress that they want to see talent of all ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds. The agency also reps young talent, and their client Isabelle Smith has just won an RTS Award for her work on Hollyoaks.
How to contact: Email Priestley at alex@alexpriestleytalent.com. The website asks that you do not call the office to enquire about representation.
See Also: How to Get an Acting Agent in the UK
Founded in 2006, Red Door was one of the first businesses to open in the MediaCity development in Salford, putting its offices right next to the BBC’s and other creative organisations in the region. Since then it’s helped kick-start the careers of names such as Jenna Coleman, Lucy Fallon, and Maddison Jaizani. Red Door reps actors for drama, musical theatre, and voice work, and its clients have been seen on HBO, the BBC, Sky, Hulu, and Netflix. Red Door also has a good track record with placing clients on Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, and Emmerdale – all based in the north of England.
How to contact: Based in both Manchester and London, you can contact Red Door via the email address mail@the-reddoor.co.uk.
Before launching her agency in 1998, Hollowood was a successful actor. So she knows what it’s like to have a Manchester-based career and has good industry connections in the city and beyond. Her client list is small and focuses exclusively on actors, so you’ll definitely get a good level of attention, empathy, and expertise if you choose this agency. The team of three do seem to land varied work for their clients, from regional pantos to radio plays and soaps to Netflix blockbusters.
How to contact: Use the agency’s website form to get in touch.
Established in 1997, Lime describes itself as “one of the leading acting agencies in the North of England.” The agency has real expertise when it comes to actors at the start of their careers, featuring specialist client lists for Youth and New Talent. The team has actors working on Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks (star Kieron Richardson is repped by Lime). If you’re thinking of branching out into another creative area, the agency also works with presenters. Lime is a good, all-round talent agency.
How to contact: Email georgina@limemanagement.co.uk.
If you’re seeking a well-established Manchester agency then take a look at Pemberton. Founded by Barbara Pemberton in 1989, the agency is now run by her son Mark and former actor Sarah Churm. The agency has offices in Manchester, London, and Nottingham, so it has England pretty well covered. As well as its broader client list, Pemberton also has specialist lists focusing on voice actors and musical theatre. Importantly, the team has strong links with regional theatres in cities such as Sheffield, Derby, and Liverpool. On top of all this, if you want to join the agency that reps Antonio Fargas, who played the character of Huggy Bear on Starsky and Hutch, then Pemberton Associates definitely needs your consideration.
How to contact: The agency requests a cover letter, headshot, and CV sent to its email address: general@pembertonassociates.com.
Founded in 1978, David Daly Associates has a good reputation representing just under 100 actors. The agency is based in both London and Manchester, so it can offer the best of both cities. Its relatively small client list allows the team to offer “close personal management” to both well-established actors and those just starting out. DD clients have recently appeared in the West End (The Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon), feature films (Saltburn, The Tattooist of Auschwitz), and high-end TV productions – so it must be doing something right.
How to contact: If you like the look of this agency, drop the team a note via agent@daviddaly.co.uk.
See Also: How to Become an Actor in the UK