# How do casting directors in different countries work together on a production?

> In one of two ways. One casting director runs the whole process, or two share it: the lead casting director keeps the search as a whole, and a partner casts the roles in their own country. As the UK partner, CW Casting finds and tapes the British cast and handles UK availability, agents and contracts. Decisions are made over self-tapes and remote sessions.

## What are the two models?

| | One casting director leads from the UK | UK partner to a lead casting director elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs the search | The UK casting director | The lead casting director |
| UK side covers | Brief, search, tapes, recalls, decisions and deals | Finding and taping the British cast, UK availability, agents and contracts |
| Suits | Productions shooting mainly in the UK with a mainly British cast | Productions with leads cast elsewhere and other roles cast in the UK |

## What does the UK side need to start?

- The script, or the idea if it is still in development.
- Dates, if you have them.
- The tone, and what the broadcaster or streamer needs from the cast.
- Which roles are already cast or on offer.

## How are decisions made across time zones?

On tape and in remote sessions. Auditions are held in the room where possible and on tape where not, so a director or executive anywhere can watch the same material as the team in London.

## Does it work the other way round?

Yes. A British production can cast a lead from another country without leaving the UK. On A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Catherine Willis approached the American actor Emma Myers directly for Pip and then cast the British ensemble around her.

## Sources

- [Independent Talent Group: Catherine Willis](https://www.independenttalent.com/casting-directors/catherine-willis/)
- [Backstage: how to get cast in a YA adaptation, 2024](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/good-girls-guide-to-murder-cd-how-to-get-cast-ya-adaptation-77579/)

Last checked: 9 October 2026. Page: https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/how-do-casting-directors-in-different-countries-work-together