While applying for a casting has arguably never been easier, actors never really know how their applications will turn out. It might get rejected, they might be invited to audition and get the role they wanted, or, if unfortunately not, at least receive some valuable feedback from an industry professional.
But in between all this can be some truly once-in-a-lifetime events and moments. That’s what this article is about, so read on to learn more about how casting directors respond to unconventional situations and make casting decisions that lead to some of the best television series ever produced.
When the player closes the door, the window may open later
In 2008, shortly after HBO ordered a pilot for an epic fantasy TV series based on the novel series A Song of Ice and Fire, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss informally began developing Game of Thrones. “‘s casting process, they encouraged fans to submit casting suggestions in online discussion forums.
Over the next year, a number of more experienced actors were cast for specific roles, with Peter Dinklage landing the role of Tyrion Lannister becoming the first officially announced casting.
Meanwhile, other roles are being cast globally, with candidates facing stiff competition and very specific requirements. The selection process was designed to provide authenticity, so many of the younger character roles were actually available to unknown, inexperienced performers.
One of them is British actress Emilia Clarke, who didn’t have much previous acting experience but applied for the key role of Daenerys Targaryen. Plot twist – she didn’t get the part! The job was given to her fellow countrywoman Tamzin Merchant, who played the “Mother of Dragons” in the pilot filmed in 2009.
Sometimes the unfortunate reality is that choosing a TV series character whose series hasn’t yet been fully greenlit means the cast can be recast. That’s exactly what happened after the first pilot episode of Game of Thrones — one of the complaints HBO received before agreeing to take on the show was that the character of Daenerys had to be recast.
Clark returns to audition for reshoots. The casting director was impressed by her enthusiasm for the role. This even included a controversial scene from the pilot with Jason Mamoa’s Khal Drogo, which Merchant wasn’t previously happy with, negatively impacting the chemistry between the two actors.
The young actress managed to capture Daenerys’ complicity in her final audition performance, ultimately landing the role, which nearly propelled her now-prolific career to entirely new heights.
Choosing the right actor for the wrong role
One of the many tasks of a casting director is to sort through the vast talent pool available for casting and find the right candidates. As with other professions, while many candidates are suitable for a specific role, only one of these candidates will ultimately receive the opportunity to perform. Often casting directors have to make tough decisions between great performers who perfectly fit the bill.
However, sometimes an actor may be great but definitely not the right person for the specific role they are applying for. Take the iconic TV sitcom Friends, for example. Could you imagine Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox playing other people on the show, but as Rachel and Monica respectively?
However, the casting process for the beloved series began way back in the early 1990s, with Aniston auditioning for the role of Monica Geller and Cox is a candidate to play Rachel Green.
While Friends creators David Crane and Marta Kaufman and the casting staff liked Aniston’s audition, they felt she wasn’t the right actress for the role of Monica, so they cast her She appeared in what was originally planned to be a supporting role. Meanwhile, Cox once again impressed them when she auditioned for the role of Rachel – which didn’t feel like a good match.
As the cast was about to be cast, Cox was offered the role of Monica, while Aniston was offered the role of Rachel. Even Lisa Kudrow was a candidate for a different role, but she didn’t get the part, but her personality seemed right for a bigger role – Phoebe, of course.
This is a great example of how a casting staff’s repurposing of a candidate can lead to amazing results for everyone involved and a lot of fun for the audience.
Sometimes casting knows no borders, that’s what it’s about
While typing “auditions near me” can be great, sometimes actors may have to think outside the box, where the box is their town or area and the world outside is out there. Big productions of epic proportions and global settings can rarely fill their casts with only local talent, especially when the goal is to authentically portray the characters in the story.
This means that casting will be done on an international scale, with roles being offered to actors from different countries, backgrounds and ethnicities.
This usually means the project may also be filmed internationally. Catelyn Stark is another character on Game of Thrones who was originally cast with a different actress, but ultimately had to be recast. American actress Jennifer Ehle was the casting staff’s first choice, and she also appeared in the infamous unaired pilot episode.
Ultimately, the role of Catelyn Stark was played by Northern Irish actress Michelle Fairley, but unlike Daenerys’ casting changes, Ellie herself decided to pass up the role. The reason she did this was because Game of Thrones required extended filming in Ireland, and the actress didn’t want to be away from home for so long.
While casting on a global scale is exciting, actually getting the gig can also require greater sacrifice. Voiceover work is a good option for actors who want to be involved in global productions but may not be in a rush to relocate.
