# What is an open casting call?

> An open casting call is an audition that anyone who fits the brief can apply to, with or without an agent or experience. Casting directors use open calls to find people from a specific place or background. CW Casting held two days of open auditions in Bolton for the Alma's Not Normal pilot, open auditions in Liverpool for The Gathering, open casting for The Full Monty, and an open call across West Yorkshire for the BBC comedy PUSH.

## Why do productions run open calls?

To find people the usual routes miss: a voice from one town, an age group with few professional actors, or a face the audience has no history with.

## How is an open call publicised?

For the Alma's Not Normal pilot, CW Casting reached people through local press, schools, drama schools and community centres in Bolton. The series went on to win the BAFTA for Scripted Comedy in 2025. Open casting was also held for The Full Monty, the Disney+ series.

## What happened on PUSH?

PUSH is a BBC comedy written by Jessica Knappett and made by Various Artists Limited, set in a maternity unit in West Yorkshire. CW Casting ran an open call across West Yorkshire. No acting experience was required. The call closed on 28 August 2026. The [PUSH page](https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/for-actors/open-calls/push) stays online so people can see what was asked for.

## How do I apply for one?

Current and past calls are on the [open calls page](https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/for-actors/open-calls). See also [how to apply for an open casting call](https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/how-do-i-apply-for-an-open-casting-call).

## Sources

- [Spotlight: Meet the Casting Director, Catherine Willis, 2024](https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/the-industry/casting-director-catherine-willis-good-girls-guide-to-murder-bbc/)

Last checked: 9 October 2026. Page: https://www.cwcasting.co.uk/questions/what-is-an-open-casting-call