This is a world so removed from me and mine. But interesting. I love "ramshackle faces." It's true, turn on American TV and everyone has been ironed out.
Yes, Beth mentioned in her comment that Rachel Weisz (English actress) looks not at all ramshackle in the new series Vladimir (playing an American), so I think we’re maybe heading the same way!
Funny - I'm not a twin, but auditioned for the part of a twin in The King and I stage production in London. I remember standing on the stage singing Do-Re-Mi.. doh a deer, a female deer... and all that! I got the part, or one of them as they had to have a bunch of twins as small children could only do something like 3 performances a week back in the 70's. But Mum decided that dragging into Central London from Watford would all be too much and turned it down on my behalf. I always ask myself - what if?! 😉
Very interesting article. My son is at the short film stage in his career as a director, and I'm always curious about his casting decisions. I'm hoping to score a small role one of these days, but who knows. Please keep your fingers crossed for me 😀
I am in awe of Ken Roach (my most recent fave of his being 'The Old Oak'. I am equally impressed by ALL that Daisy May Cooper writes, directs and plays. Of course 'we can all act' ... we do it to survive but playing real parts in real drama about real life ticks my box.
Sinners, Hamnet and Sentimental Value were tops for me! Great post! I didn’t know that this Oscars is the first time casting will be a category. That’s so cool! Agreed about the frozen look on US faces though Rachel Weisz in Vladimir is a good example that it’s not limited to this side of the Atlantic even though yes she technically lives in NyC!
Thanks, Beth, and of those I've seen, your three picks are my favourites from the Best Picture category. I watched Sentimental Value earlier this week and loved it. Its theme of childhood homes and the long shadow of family history spoke to me.
For casting, I think Sinners deserves it.
I haven't seen The Secret Agent yet and that's nominated in Best picture and Best International Film (Brazil). Looking forward to it.
Really enjoyed reading this Wendy, especially as I started watching Lord of The Flies yesterday (I'm a bit behind) - was totally mesmerised by those boys and the close up shots of their faces...especially the littluns. I hadn't realised there was a behind the scenes prog to go with it so thank you for that - I'll definitely give it a watch. Great casting by Nina Gold. And loved the insights into the casting process with your triplet girls. Showbiz eh, it's a strange old beast.
Great insights here, Wendy! I love all the glimpses behind-the-scenes of twin/triplet casting. Did your girls ever get cast in anything in the end? Also your sister nailed Paul Mescal with the comment about his soul. By the way, if you're keen to know more about Nina Gold, there's a great Guardian Long Read all about her.
Thanks! I’ll look for the Guardian long read, as I missed that. No, my daughters never got the part/s. The Beggar Bride went to twins with “more angular faces”. (Forgot to put that detail in.)
One Battle After Another got Best Casting in the end, though I thought it really ought to go to Sinners. And Michael B Jordan was great in Sinners playing identical twins. Glad he got best actor Oscar for that.
Thanks, Hannah. Sometimes a mix of humour and exasperation when people got them mixed up, but never a dull moment!
I was pleased to see that Michael B Jordan won the Best Actor Oscar. He did a great job playing identical twins (with quite distinctive styles) in Sinners.
A bit of a side note, but re. Nina Gold’s comments on British actors, I’m now “collecting” female actors, who say No to plastic surgery or even “tweakments” like Botox, and refuse to abuse GLP-1 drugs, and I’ve noticed it’s mostly British women: Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, Lesley Manville, Ruth Wilson. I’m sure they feel the pressure so I admire their strength not to succumb to it. Rachel Weisz might’ve had some work done, she looks stunning in Vladimir, but it’s subtle, she looks like herself, and there’s no hint of so-called Uncanny Valley, and her body, while slim, looks healthy and curvaceous, not emaciated like Demi Moore’s and an alarmingly fast growing number of other American actresses.
Absolutely, Anna, Nina Gold’s comment made me think of Kate Winslet, who’s been forthright about not wanting to succumb to that pressure. I also saw Vladimir and thought Rachel Weisz was great in it, but so line-free I was a bit distracted.
I once took my friends daughter to a fashion casting. It was in a beautiful building and she had to jump up and down on a trampoline! Such an experience and eye opener for me. I would have loved to have gone for castings but I never had the confidence. I may have said before but Detectorists is one of my favourites! And after reading your post about Small Prophets, I binged watched the lot yesterday! I loved it! The only movie I’ve seen recently is Wuthering Heights and I’m not sure how I felt about it! I’ve so many movies to catch up on! Im desperate to watch Hamnet , but I’ve missed it at my local. So re the Oscars I’ve no idea. Love the pic of the triplets ❤️
Ah, so glad you enjoyed Small Prophets, Francis. I’ve been binging Detectorists this week and only have the final Christmas special to go now. Love it.
While I love Paul Mescal as an actor, Hamnet wasn't probably his most remarkable part but I believe he was shoehorn into the story to make it appealing to international audiences that may know him after Gladiator.
So interesting to hear a casting director talk about how British actors compared to American ones in terms of looks, and I do agree that this side of the pond actors look more intriguing and authentic (maybe even more relatable because they actually look like real people you could cross paths with) and for me at least that contributes as well to the viewing experience.
And can you imagine if your daughters had made it to The Parent Trap, Wendy? You'll be telling us now about the insides of the film industry!
This year the competition is strong! I noticed that every single actor on Sentimental Value has been nominated for an Oscar and yet they didn't not receive a best cast nomination...
I read that the boys who went to see the headmaster in Kes, one poor lad who had only brought a message, didn't know they were going to be caned before filming. Poor boys, I hope it was only one take.
I read that, too, Maria! Poor lad. It was based on a real incident when a boy at my old school was sent to the head for good work and the notorious Ben Roby (my dad’s headteacher) assumed he was there to be caned.
Did you notice how incredibly posh a lot of the kids in Lord of the Flies were? Titus Boniface, Rafael de Belligny, a Xavier, a Lox... all those kids will get an amazing leg-up into the industry. My film producer friend speculated that it will in part have been down to the fact that they'll have needed parents able to come to Malaysia for the duration of filming, which most people working in actual jobs won't have been able to do.
Good point, Melissa. I noticed on the “making of” Lord of the Flies documentary that parents were waiting back at the hotel.
When we tramped across London in the ‘90s for those castings, every time it took pretty much the whole day, always weekdays, usually term-time, and I wondered how anyone could afford to do it regularly, and how they’d cope with the upheaval if the children actually got the job.
There seemed to be a real infatuation more recently with casting actors whose looks are a close match to the real person they’re portraying. Surely their acting ability should take precedence?
Good on you, Wendy, for taking the girls for casting calls. What an interesting opportunity for all of you. I always assumed that castings were made through agencies and acting/song and dance schools, or at least those kids went to the top of the list.
Nina Gold says in that ST article that she doesn’t always go for lookalikes, and that’s refreshing. (She mentioned casting Matt Smith as Prince Philip in The Crown, which purely on appearance wouldn’t be a good match, but he was fantastic.)
I guess when the cast is younger they have to try different routes, not just established agencies. You think of a series like Adolescence and the way that’s brought Owen Cooper into the spotlight.
This is a world so removed from me and mine. But interesting. I love "ramshackle faces." It's true, turn on American TV and everyone has been ironed out.
Yes, Beth mentioned in her comment that Rachel Weisz (English actress) looks not at all ramshackle in the new series Vladimir (playing an American), so I think we’re maybe heading the same way!
I'm sorry.
Funny - I'm not a twin, but auditioned for the part of a twin in The King and I stage production in London. I remember standing on the stage singing Do-Re-Mi.. doh a deer, a female deer... and all that! I got the part, or one of them as they had to have a bunch of twins as small children could only do something like 3 performances a week back in the 70's. But Mum decided that dragging into Central London from Watford would all be too much and turned it down on my behalf. I always ask myself - what if?! 😉
Such a shame that you weren’t allowed to take the part, Jacqui. What if, indeed!
I could have been a Hollywood star by now! Instead I can amuse myself by recording my own voiceovers for my Substack posts. 😁
Very interesting article. My son is at the short film stage in his career as a director, and I'm always curious about his casting decisions. I'm hoping to score a small role one of these days, but who knows. Please keep your fingers crossed for me 😀
I hope you get the call, Ingrid! And best of luck to your son in his career. Such an interesting industry to be part of.
I am in awe of Ken Roach (my most recent fave of his being 'The Old Oak'. I am equally impressed by ALL that Daisy May Cooper writes, directs and plays. Of course 'we can all act' ... we do it to survive but playing real parts in real drama about real life ticks my box.
V sorry about Trips' castings tho ...
I haven’t seen The Old Oak yet. I’ll put it on my to-watch list, thanks for the tip, Cherry.
Yes, drama about real life, when done well, is the best. That’s why Kes remains great. And it’s why I’m so struck by Panahi’s films, too.
Sinners, Hamnet and Sentimental Value were tops for me! Great post! I didn’t know that this Oscars is the first time casting will be a category. That’s so cool! Agreed about the frozen look on US faces though Rachel Weisz in Vladimir is a good example that it’s not limited to this side of the Atlantic even though yes she technically lives in NyC!
Thanks, Beth, and of those I've seen, your three picks are my favourites from the Best Picture category. I watched Sentimental Value earlier this week and loved it. Its theme of childhood homes and the long shadow of family history spoke to me.
For casting, I think Sinners deserves it.
I haven't seen The Secret Agent yet and that's nominated in Best picture and Best International Film (Brazil). Looking forward to it.
I’m planning to watch “The Secret Agent” this weekend!
Also, agree with you that Rachel Weisz looks not at all ramshackle in Vladimir!
I do love me some ramshackle
Me too!
Really enjoyed reading this Wendy, especially as I started watching Lord of The Flies yesterday (I'm a bit behind) - was totally mesmerised by those boys and the close up shots of their faces...especially the littluns. I hadn't realised there was a behind the scenes prog to go with it so thank you for that - I'll definitely give it a watch. Great casting by Nina Gold. And loved the insights into the casting process with your triplet girls. Showbiz eh, it's a strange old beast.
Thanks, Tess. The littluns in Lord of the Flies really are mesmerising, quite agree. Found the behind the scenes prog afterwards fascinating.
Yes, triplet castings were a strange old experience!
I was pleased to see Michael B Jordan get Best Actor Oscar for playing identical twins and managing to make them distinctive in style and personality.
Great insights here, Wendy! I love all the glimpses behind-the-scenes of twin/triplet casting. Did your girls ever get cast in anything in the end? Also your sister nailed Paul Mescal with the comment about his soul. By the way, if you're keen to know more about Nina Gold, there's a great Guardian Long Read all about her.
Thanks! I’ll look for the Guardian long read, as I missed that. No, my daughters never got the part/s. The Beggar Bride went to twins with “more angular faces”. (Forgot to put that detail in.)
One Battle After Another got Best Casting in the end, though I thought it really ought to go to Sinners. And Michael B Jordan was great in Sinners playing identical twins. Glad he got best actor Oscar for that.
Loved reading about your funny casting experiences with your triplets, Wendy. There must have been lots of funny moments as they grew up!
Thanks, Hannah. Sometimes a mix of humour and exasperation when people got them mixed up, but never a dull moment!
I was pleased to see that Michael B Jordan won the Best Actor Oscar. He did a great job playing identical twins (with quite distinctive styles) in Sinners.
I bet the Triplet Tales would constitute one thick volume of your epic memoir :)
I haven’t seen Sinners - didn’t realise he played twins! Must watch it.
A bit of a side note, but re. Nina Gold’s comments on British actors, I’m now “collecting” female actors, who say No to plastic surgery or even “tweakments” like Botox, and refuse to abuse GLP-1 drugs, and I’ve noticed it’s mostly British women: Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, Lesley Manville, Ruth Wilson. I’m sure they feel the pressure so I admire their strength not to succumb to it. Rachel Weisz might’ve had some work done, she looks stunning in Vladimir, but it’s subtle, she looks like herself, and there’s no hint of so-called Uncanny Valley, and her body, while slim, looks healthy and curvaceous, not emaciated like Demi Moore’s and an alarmingly fast growing number of other American actresses.
Absolutely, Anna, Nina Gold’s comment made me think of Kate Winslet, who’s been forthright about not wanting to succumb to that pressure. I also saw Vladimir and thought Rachel Weisz was great in it, but so line-free I was a bit distracted.
I once took my friends daughter to a fashion casting. It was in a beautiful building and she had to jump up and down on a trampoline! Such an experience and eye opener for me. I would have loved to have gone for castings but I never had the confidence. I may have said before but Detectorists is one of my favourites! And after reading your post about Small Prophets, I binged watched the lot yesterday! I loved it! The only movie I’ve seen recently is Wuthering Heights and I’m not sure how I felt about it! I’ve so many movies to catch up on! Im desperate to watch Hamnet , but I’ve missed it at my local. So re the Oscars I’ve no idea. Love the pic of the triplets ❤️
Ah, so glad you enjoyed Small Prophets, Francis. I’ve been binging Detectorists this week and only have the final Christmas special to go now. Love it.
The trampoline casting sounds good fun, at least!
While I love Paul Mescal as an actor, Hamnet wasn't probably his most remarkable part but I believe he was shoehorn into the story to make it appealing to international audiences that may know him after Gladiator.
So interesting to hear a casting director talk about how British actors compared to American ones in terms of looks, and I do agree that this side of the pond actors look more intriguing and authentic (maybe even more relatable because they actually look like real people you could cross paths with) and for me at least that contributes as well to the viewing experience.
And can you imagine if your daughters had made it to The Parent Trap, Wendy? You'll be telling us now about the insides of the film industry!
I much prefer a lived-in face onscreen, but actresses must be under such pressure to stay ‘glossy’.
It’ll be interesting to see if Nina Gold wins the casting Oscar for Hamnet. I think Sinners really deserves that one.
This year the competition is strong! I noticed that every single actor on Sentimental Value has been nominated for an Oscar and yet they didn't not receive a best cast nomination...
"she finds it easier to cast in Britain “because people’s faces here look a bit more ramshackle” (compared to the United States)." I loved this 🤣
Yes, ramshackle is good! I’m all for it. Thanks, Jeffrey.
I read that the boys who went to see the headmaster in Kes, one poor lad who had only brought a message, didn't know they were going to be caned before filming. Poor boys, I hope it was only one take.
I read that, too, Maria! Poor lad. It was based on a real incident when a boy at my old school was sent to the head for good work and the notorious Ben Roby (my dad’s headteacher) assumed he was there to be caned.
Did you notice how incredibly posh a lot of the kids in Lord of the Flies were? Titus Boniface, Rafael de Belligny, a Xavier, a Lox... all those kids will get an amazing leg-up into the industry. My film producer friend speculated that it will in part have been down to the fact that they'll have needed parents able to come to Malaysia for the duration of filming, which most people working in actual jobs won't have been able to do.
Good point, Melissa. I noticed on the “making of” Lord of the Flies documentary that parents were waiting back at the hotel.
When we tramped across London in the ‘90s for those castings, every time it took pretty much the whole day, always weekdays, usually term-time, and I wondered how anyone could afford to do it regularly, and how they’d cope with the upheaval if the children actually got the job.
Enjoyed this Wendy. Even though, as an ex BBC casting assistant, it brought the stressful moments flooding back!
Thanks, Sharon. Which shows were you involved with?
The accident-prone reconstruction drama, 999…Also Carol Vorderman’s Mysteries. There was a Crimewatch stint too!
Hmmm. Have you written about this, Sharon? If not, sounds like it would be a good ‘un!
I think I might’ve mentioned in a Note, but yes - when I look back it feels like a fever dream 😳
There seemed to be a real infatuation more recently with casting actors whose looks are a close match to the real person they’re portraying. Surely their acting ability should take precedence?
Good on you, Wendy, for taking the girls for casting calls. What an interesting opportunity for all of you. I always assumed that castings were made through agencies and acting/song and dance schools, or at least those kids went to the top of the list.
Nina Gold says in that ST article that she doesn’t always go for lookalikes, and that’s refreshing. (She mentioned casting Matt Smith as Prince Philip in The Crown, which purely on appearance wouldn’t be a good match, but he was fantastic.)
I guess when the cast is younger they have to try different routes, not just established agencies. You think of a series like Adolescence and the way that’s brought Owen Cooper into the spotlight.