He was pursuing editing work on the side. But I dont think that it is ever more important than having the right person. Of course, the greatest discovery of this musical comedy is its lead, Jane Levy, best known to viewers for her comedic skills on the ABC series Suburgatory. You always want to work with people who inspire you and who you can learn from, and Bill is one of those people. Despite the mega success of "Breaking Bad" at the Emmys -- including three acting wins for Bryan Cranston, a pair for Aaron Paul and one for Anna Gunn -- casting directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry . I remember going in for you guys a couple times and unlike a lot of rooms, you guys made it so comfortable, and it was just so warm. Bialy, Thomas and Russell Scott are nominated twice this year, for Dead to Me along with Handmaids Tale. Another of their shows, Better Call Saul, now has 11 acting nominations. Thomas says of the then-not-so-well-known Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, I kind of always knew Yahya was it. And then we pulled from that to go and seek out the right people for the roles. I think we will all be more mindful of that process, but I also dont want to be in a room with an actor with a giant piece of plexiglass between us. He was the heart of the show the first season., Andrew is absolutely hilarious. But if you feel like you want to give it a shot. She works constantly in New York, but she was this undiscovered gem to the rest of the world, and now everybody knows who she is., To populate Luca Guadagninos vision of an American Army base in coastal Italy, casting director Carmen Cuba knew she had to build her cast out from the kids at the center of the story. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. We also share information about your use of our website with our social media and web analytics partners. Awards. Its been a long time coming and were very proud of it., 9 Emmy nominees you didnt know were already on Netflix: Breaking Bad, Scandal, , If they do win the Emmy, they arent worried about getting kicked off the stage if their acceptance speech lasts too long. And also, it was shot in LA, in Los Angeles, so everything is large and on a big scale. Its also a thriller. We were like, Wait, did we just see somebody who literally has zero acting experience and was that great? says Brett Greenstein. Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series But what the self-taping does is give so many more people opportunities because we can see 25 actors for a role. The cast of Gotham. You really need to find actors who can do all of those things which can be challenging. Sherry Thomas Says Casting Directors Are Therapists, Too Name one of your favorite television shows and it's a sure bet that Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas were the casting directors for at least one of them. Then he was totally game to be in the last episode in front of the camera., After co-creator and executive producer Mindy Kaling tweeted an open casting call for series lead Devi Vishwakumar, the casting directors discovered newcomer Ramakrishnan. And thanks for sharing about the magic of working with the person who not only co-created the show, but who also produces, writes, directs, and stars in it. Sharon Bialy: And it was the hardest thing in the world to not be hysterical, laughing when she wrote, I meant Michael Imperioli. And then we had to go through the audition and Im biting my lip so that I laugh. I get told all the time that I remind people of Melissa McCarthy. Thomas called Sweeney wise and mature beyond her years. Showing all 1 wins and 28 nominations. Burrows eventually recommended Thomas for her first paying job in the industry, working as an assistant to the location casting director the person charged with hiring extras for movie and TV . In 1974, Sherry joined Talent Associates, as an executive in charge of development. So, I love self-tapes. Sharon Bialy: I think thats a really good note. Backstage provides its members with the best tools to grow their careers in the performing arts. You are known for bringing in people who are looked at one way, and then you sort of have given this whole new sort of light, this new career almost to them. I think she had auditioned for Rocky Horror Picture Show several years before, so I knew she could sing. Sherry Thomas, Casting Director. As for the ladies favorite guest stars over the years, they bring special attention to Charles Baker (Skinny Pete), Matt Jones (Badger) and Daniel and Luis Moncada (the Cousins), but they admit that Emmy nominee Mark Margolis may be their favorite casting scoop for the show. Casting Directors Help Achieve Diversity in Hollywood - Variety And as a casting director, it feeds my soul to get to go through the whole collaborative process of finding that person who just pops in a role. She needed the right role to be able to show that shes not just someone whos gorgeous, and Mississippi allows her to do that., Elarica [as dancer Autumn Night] has a very openhearted vulnerability that comes forward when you just look in her eyes, says Ingram. Murdoch has survived scandal after scandal. Get to Know the Casting Director: Sherry Thomas She came in and was so natural, so funny. So we can say, No, this is the Bob Odenkirk character youre reading with. And its like, oh, a light bulb goes off, but we cant in email. AD: I imagine one of the more interesting challenges of that character is finding someone who can believably portray someone who has both dated Ana (Diana-Maria Riva) and Judy. Sherry Thomas retweeted. For Season 2 of Handmaids, we were surprised with Sydney Sweeney [as Eden]. RS: It was a very extensive search. We were trying to find the perfect person that would excite Liz to the point where she would want to continue writing for if the character came back. What are some self-tape tips that you have? Russell Scott, Casting Director. Craig Fincannon (Location Casting Director) 2010 Nominee Artios Award: Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Television Series - Drama Breaking Bad (2008) Shared with: Sharon Bialy. This interview has been edited and condensed. Contact | Sherry Thomas 'Perry Mason' Casting Directors Reveal the Casting - Daily Actor I dont think it took an hour for every creative to say, Shes perfect. , The most exciting thing is taking that actor everybody sees one way and flipping expectations, Bialy says. I brought in this guy from New York, hes actually a playwright, his name is Jeremy O. Harris. Its OK because now youll get great volume when you blow dry it. For Lady Sherlock series publicity inquiries (media coverage, review copies, and interviews), please contact Tara O'Connor at Penguin Random House We really kind of leave it up to the actor. I think actors dont think it happens, and it does. Sharon Bialy: I mean, I watch the whole thing. Russell Scott: The show is a comedy, but tonally it is pretty tricky because its also a mystery. It seems that reboots are a dime a dozen these days. We dont get the opportunity to give immediate feedback and really do the other part of our title which is direct. Her emotional depth and ability, in the scene, to always find the deepest but most surprising way to play it, is amazing and then to be able to sing on top of it. RS: We went through that entire process and read a lot of people. 2023 Casting Networks, LLC. We will never, ever be an office that is strictly self-taped. Im in LA. That has been nice because so many of these shows are aged for younger women. Okay. She came in for Mo [Zoeys neighbor, played by gender-fluid actor Alex Newell], and everybody remembered her when we were casting [Zoeys sister-in-law] Emily, says Ulrich. We thought wed cast an unknown. Toothpicks and blue jeans. The storylines and arcs are massive, and youre also in a period piece, so it was important to make sure that each actor [remained] defined within their own self, even if the character wasnt around all the time, says Thomas. I had the highest hopes and no idea that he could sing as well as he could sing. That is such a skill, and one I wish I had. Sauls Rhea Seehorn was one they called in many times before she booked the key Kim Wexler role. You do a dark show and they go, lets get the girls to do the dark show. We all miss it. Sherry Thomas - IMDb I appreciate that insight into collaborating with such a talented multi-hyphenate. That was a very, very challenging role, Thomas says of the eager young econowife character who comes to learn just how divorced love and marriage are in the Gilead dystopia. We always want to be readily available to talk as they prepare their tapes so that there is that sense that weve been in the room with them. TV casting directors receiving multiple nominations include Alexa L. Fogel (The Politician, . After appearing in two films, Loving (1970) and Rio Lobo (1970), Sherry decided to leave the acting field. Now, here comes my favorite question to ask, Sherry. These are edited excerpts from that conversation. I grew up thinking that acting was going to be my path in life, so when I was 22, I packed up my car and drove cross-country to LA with just 150 bucks in my pocket. For Dead to Mes second season, Scott said the main task was finding the new love interest for Linda Cardellinis character. Sherry was born in Chicago and pursued an acting career after graduating from Northwestern University. Its about finding complex and compelling actors that can bring nuance even to comedy. And he even was like, Im not right for this, but Im here. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The 2020 Emmys are closer than you think. My partner Sherry Thomas, who casts the show with me, and I have a history of colorblind casting, so we're always looking for the best actor. So find somebody who really is going to, give you a little bit of something to play off of, but not try to sort of make it about them, because thats not what theyre there for. Its interesting, because I think what happens to actors often happens to casting directors, Bialy explained. Were just gonna have a great time.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Robert Downey Jr. -produced HBO series Perry Mason -which places the famed criminal defense lawyer played by Matthew Rhys in the era he debuted in literature, the 1930s-features a stellar cast. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. His instinct was that she was the perfect fit for the part, and he didnt give up. And I said, Yeah, I think its going to be really cool and really interesting. Gohar Gazazyan, Casting Director. Liz Feldman, Christina Applegate, Jessica Elbaum, and all of our producers fell in love with working with him and figuring out a complex way to bring him back. It is one of our most rewarding jobs., [John McEnroe] was in the original script, and I remember nobody was dealing with it. 2023 Oscar Predictions Who Are the Oscar Voters? She was channeling her own mother, is what she told us. Interview: Casting Directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas on 'The So, we really didnt do any producer sessions over Zoom. ST: Not for us particularly. Its good to be (Regina) King: The Oscar winner might win her fourth Emmy for her portrayal of Angela Aybar/Sister Night in Watchmen., The Doctor is in: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was a surprise choice to play Dr. Manhattan in HBOs Watchmen.. We got so many emails from agents asking, Where did you find these actors? Everybody was blown away, says Greenstein. So, even though they might be doing under five lines, theyve got to be able to hold their own. Bruce and Lizzie were thrilled with him. I knew that Mary could sing. There were large party scenes, and large office scenes, and so you had to be very, very careful. I didnt know anyone here, but was a manager at The Gap at the time and got transferred to an LA location of the store. And sometimes the sides are fake. Unless it is really not Theres a couple things going into play. He is fantastic. Thats a fantastic pick! This website uses cookies. But I dont believe she had ever been a series regular before. Awards Daily: What was it like jumping back into Dead to Me after the first season became such a breakout hit? ST: Our goal will always be to safely get back in the room with actors. We are very, very excited for season three. All rights reserved. Literally, we were all just howling because she just got it., We needed a Jake from Sixteen Candles, someone brooding and obviously swoon-worthy and somebody that Devis going to have a mad crush on, Greenstein says of the protagonists love interest, Paxton Hall-Yoshida. But then she had also read with us on Danny McBrides Vice Principles. I would own my own version of a Drybar. 2021 Nominee Primetime Emmy: Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series . Robin Bartlett, we have cast many times and she is, kind of in my brain, there was nobody else for it. And when they feel that support, they just blossom right in front of the camera. Sherry Thomas: They called him, pitched him and Sharon says, huh. Sherry Lansing. Sometimes our job is basically that of a casting director/producer. She created a book this big between her read with casting and her read with Bruce, of her story as the character. 2023 Oscar Nominee: Director Santiago Mitre on Why the Message Behind Argentina, 1985 Remains More Relevant Than Ever, 2023 Oscar Nominee Fire of Love: How Editors and Co-Writers Erin CasperandJocelyne Chaput Crafted the Krafft Love Story, Double Oscar Nominee & Producer Shane Boris Talks What Fire of Love & Navalny Have in Common, Inaugural Television Publicity Executives Committee (TPEC) Submissions Are Now Open, Amazons Daisy Jones and the Six is the First Great Limited Series of 2023, Melissa Rauch On Presiding Over a New Night Court Era, 'The Morning Show' Director Mimi Leder on Why Cable is Better for Female Characters. Wow. This cast is definitely a combination of people who Luca knew hed have to shepherd along. Of Seamn, whose outwardly confident Caitlin struggles with gender identity, Cuba adds, But its funny, because we thought this going in, and then Jordan turned out to somehow be a savant and know how to do everything, even though shed had no experience., I have auditioned [Scott] over the years for various things. From encouraging this writer about her questionable hair choices to estimating how many times shes forgotten to pick her kids up from school, Thomas candor in our interview provided an intriguing look into the person behind all the casting credits.