How to Audition for Netflix (Exact Steps)

By the end of this article, you'll know exactly how to audition for Netflix without an agent, plus specific, actionable steps you can take to start getting access to those auditions quickly.

Here's what you'll learn:

• Where to find real Netflix casting calls online: A lot of auditions you'll find on Google are scams or fake. We'll cut through all the B.S. with direct links to real Netflix audition opportunities.
• Advanced strategies to access Netflix auditions for larger roles: Most Netflix casting calls you'll find online are for smaller roles, but there are a few special tricks you can use to find auditions for MAJOR acting roles on Netflix without an agent (seasoned, full-time working actors use these tricks when they are in-between agents and need to find Netflix auditions on their own)
• How to get noticed by Netflix casting directors, even if you're a new actor: Knowing where and how to access Netflix auditions means nothing if your submission isn't taken seriously, so we'll wrap by covering some MUST's that will help you stand out from other actors and get noticed by Netflix casting directors

No fluff in this guide, just real, actionable advice. Ready to get started auditioning for Netflix?


​Free Resource: Where to Find Real Auditions (Exact Websites)

How to Audition for Netflix

​Before we dive into the steps, there are three things to keep in mind when it comes to auditioning for Netflix:

1. Netflix is very open to working with new actors. One of the great things about Netflix is their willingness to work with people who have unfamiliar names and faces (in other words, actors who are brand new). This means most production companies working under Netflix are more open to casting actors with limited credits and experience (compared with production companies who work with major networks like Fox or HBO).
2. Auditions for Netflix are not done in-house. They hire outside production companies who do the casting and shooting of their shows, which means there is no one you can go directly to at Netflix with questions about how to find auditions. Don't try emailing or calling them with questions about how to get in their shows; their customer service won't be able to help you.
3. ​Netflix is a great place to work as an actor. Most actors who book jobs on Netflix shows are paid well and treated fairly, since almost all Netflix productions are done through SAG-AFTRA. This means you should definitely consider trying to get into some of their productions because Netflix is a great way to start growing your career!​

How to Audition for Netflix Without an Agent

So how do you audition for Netflix?

Well, the biggest issue is figuring out where to find casting calls for Netflix. Most websites don't publicly post Netflix auditions because Netflix' breakdowns are hidden on a website called Breakdown Services, Ltc., which is only accessible to licensed agents and managers.

In other words, if you don't have an agent, you'll never get Netflix auditions. Just kidding!

There are six ways to access Netflix auditions if you don't have an agent:

1. ​​Network with people at events or by doing background work. You can go to film festivals, shows, showcases, industry expos, and other industry events to meet people. Find out whether they're involved in Netflix shows or ask if they know anyone who works with Netflix, such as casting directors, writers, or producers. Always have a specific list of people you'd like to meet (such as the main casting directors from Netflix found at the bottom of this article). That way, as you speak with people, you can ask if they know anyone on your list.  You can also use sites like 4 Star Casting or Central Casting to find background work on Netflix shows and then become friends with people on set. Later, you can use those friendships to get offers for speaking roles.
2. Volunteer to be a reader: Many Netflix casting calls need readers for auditions. You can volunteer your time to read for free, which can be a great way to learn how the casting process works and make a good impression on the casting director. To become a reader, you can research casting offices online and send them an email like the below:
   1. Dear NAME, I am an actor with experience in film and television roles, and I'm reaching out to express my interest in volunteering as a reader during your casting sessions. I have [mention relevant experience, such as script reading for industry projects, acting experience, etc.], and I understand the value a good reader can bring to auditions. I would be honored to support your team in creating productive audition process. Thank you for considering my offer. I am happy to provide more information or meet to discuss this further.
3. Make sure your Special Skills are up to date in your online profiles. Did you know lots of casting directors search on Actor's Access for actors with specific skillsets? If you can play piano, do an accent, or fight, make sure your skills are listed because occasionally you'll be called into Netflix auditions simply because they found you via a keyword search of your special skills. I recommend you check out my Ultimate Guide to Acting Resume Special Skills and add any and all skills you have.
4. Make calls and get into directories. If you're based in a smaller city, it's actually not too difficult to get into a casting director's directory of actors they contact directly for auditions. Netflix sometimes utilizes small, independent casting offices when shooting on-location in small towns, so keeping top of mind with your local casting call office can sometimes get you a major opportunity. Just do a bit of googling to find your local casting offices and then send them your headshot, resume, and a few clips showing your acting ability.
   1. Related: What are Headshots?
5. Use online casting websites to book smaller Netflix roles. There are lots of scams and fake auditions online, but a few key websites regularly post legitimate casting calls for Netflix shows. Although they're frequently for lower budget (i.e. less popular) shows or much smaller roles, that shouldn't matter too much if you're still in the process of building your resume and reel. Here are some web pages where you'll find Netflix Auditions:
   1. Legit Netflix Auditions on "Backstage" – Legitimate auditions for smaller Netflix productions. Get booked in one of these and you'll be able to much more easily get booked in a bigger Netflix production next time around!
   2. Legit Netflix Reality Show Auditions – Even though reality TV is not considered "straight" or "legit" acting, it's still a great way to get a Netflix credit on your resume (and make a lot of money to boot). This could be your ticket to bigger Netflix acting work down the line!
   3. Additional Legit Netflix Auditions on "Backstage" – While this page doesn't have access to huge productions, many of these auditions are for smaller speaking roles and can be a great way to access auditions for real Netflix shows.
   4. Legit Netflix Auditions on "Project Casting" – Another online casting website that occasionally lists legitimate Netflix auditions is called Project Casting.
   5. Legit Netflix Auditions on "Actor's Access" – Just visit their L.A. or N.Y.C. casting call pages. You may have to scroll a bit because they list a wide array of auditions, but some of them are occasionally for Netflix.
6. Get special access to MAJOR Netflix auditions (for larger roles). This advanced strategy is typically used by full-time working actors to generate consistent auditions when they are in-between agents. If you're willing to put in a bit of work, you can start getting directly invited to audition for high-level Netflix productions, even if you don't have an extensive resume or reel. You'll connect with casting directors who will directly invite you to audition for major Netflix projects they're working on. The nice thing about this method is that you'll have a leg up on all the other actors auditioning because the casting director already knows you!
   1. Free Step-by-Step Guide Explaining this Strategy: Download the 3 Strategies to Get Casting Directors to Invite You to Netflix Auditions, which includes word-for-word email templates and a tutorial on how to get almost any Netflix casting director to invite you to an audition.
7. Sign with an agent and ask them to submit you directly. Notice this was not in the first six! I had to include it though because it's one of the best ways to start getting consistent auditions for major Netflix casting calls. Scroll down on this page to learn how to get a great agent (even if you're still new and don't have credits/footage yet).

​
​
If you follow the above points consistently (especially #6 and #7), your chances of getting access to major Netflix auditions will skyrocket!

If you like the tips in this article so far, you'll probably enjoy my book called Get Cast on Amazon.

​
Now that we've talked about how to find Netflix casting calls, it's also important to cover how to actually get taken seriously by Netflix's casting directors.

How to be Taken Seriously for Netflix Auditions

There are a few things you can do to get casting directors to notice you and take your audition seriously, especially if you don't have a lot of credits yet:

1. Build up at least 3-5 screen acting credits and create a reel from those indie productions. Not having any speaking credits on your resume for screen (short films, web series, etc.) and nothaving a reel from that footage will always make it more difficult to get called in for roles, especially high-level roles like those in Netflix shows. If you perform for free in some smaller productions like student films, your credits and footage will grow over time, giving casting directors more reasons to trust you.
2. Ensure your marketing materials are professional. You MUST have a fantastic headshot (we shoot headshots in NYC & NJ), professionally formatted resume (here are 3 free, professional resume templates), and some sort of footage or reel showcasing your acting ability. Without those three primary marketing materials it will be more difficult for you to get invited to Netflix auditions (no matter how often you submit yourself). You should also consider putting together a website to showcase your work and make you look established, (although this is not a requirement).
3. Submit a PROFESSIONAL self-tape for each audition. If your background is distracting or your sound is too echoey, casting directors won't take your submission seriously. I highly recommend buying a simple, collapsible 5x7 white backdrop and very basic 2-point lighting kit. You can also use a simple smartphone tripod to hold your phone in place while you record. These basic pieces of equipment cost less than $150 altogether and will make a HUGE difference in how seriously casting directors take your submissions and auditions.
   1. Note: In this video, I walk you through how to set up a professional self-tape studio. I even offer tips on how to get good-quality sound without needing to pay for an expensive microphone.
4. Make sure your acting is NATURAL. The difference between "theatrical" and "screen" acting is HUGE. Many actors perform too "big," which leads their performances to look fake and melodramatic. If your clips, reel, and auditions are not natural, casting directors will immediately skip past you and move onto the next actor.

​

From "Big" to "Believable"
The Critical Foundations of Realistic Film Acting

When your performances are subtle and natural, casting directors will INSTANTLY trust you more. Too many actors think their performances are strong, yet when they start working with a 1-1 coach, they realize their performances are still too "big" and melodramatic.

This advanced training video shows you how to get rid of a fundamental problem called "indication," which is the #1 reason most new actors struggle to book screen acting work.

​Here's just some of what you'll learn in this free training:

• How to get rid of "indication" – this is the #1 reason new actors struggle to get auditions. You'll learn how big is "too big," along with tricks to perform more naturally and use that ability to book WAY more acting work
• Tactics to memorize lines quickly & easily – learn five different "shortcut" methods to make memorization WAY faster and easier
• ​How to get out of your own head – it can be hard to stop thinking about the camera, lights, and microphones (not to mention all the eyes staring at you), but there are a few key tactics you can use to get past this effectively​

Send Me the FREE Training!

​Join over 27,000 actors – improve your technique and start booking more work.

---

​Martin Bentsen (author of this guide) is an actor marketing coach who uses strategic thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 14,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and other venues.
​
Want to book more acting work by thinking strategically? Start with his free Actor’s Toolkit to create new opportunities right away, or visit his website at www.martinbentsen.com.

---

​
Additional Q&A

​​Which Netflix Shows are Currently Casting?

If you're looking how to audition for Netflix or where to find Netflix casting calls, here are some Netflix shows that are currently casting.​

That link will take you to a website where you can submit yourself online!

Alternatively, you can check out Casting About, which provides in-depth, detailed, and up-to-date information on all current auditions for TV shows and streaming shows. It's an amazing resource!

In general, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Netflix hires many production companies and each has a slightly different casting process, which means there is no one specific way to get audition opportunities. Netflix uses casting websites, agent submissions, social media, and even in-person meetings. Additionally, since Netflix rarely requires well-known actors for their projects, it means almost all actors have a fair shot at getting auditions with them!

​How Casting Directors Cast for Netflix Shows

​Most casting directors follow a straightforward process when casting:
​

1. Ideally, they already know some actors: Most casting directors keep a rolodex of their favorite actors. If they know someone they like and think could be right for a certain role, they'll reach out directly and invite the actor to audition. Usually they'll fill in about 10-20 slots out of their 30-40 available audition slots in this fashion.
2. Post the casting call: Next, they go online and post a breakdown, saying they’re looking for someone to play a specific role. They give some of the basics, including a physical description and general outline of the character’s personality so that applicants who aren’t a fit hopefully disqualify themselves before even submitting.
3. Wait for responses: They can get 3,000-5,000 submissions within the first few days of posting if they post the project on Actor's Access or another major online submissions website because so many actors are looking for work. If they just post to Breakdown Services (only agents can access this), they'll still get 2,000-3,000 submissions.
4. Narrow them down as fast as possible: They often ask their assistant to quickly sift through all the actors who submitted by looking at headshots and resumes to narrow disqualify those who are unprofessional and do not have what they are looking for. 
5. Look at reels and cover letters of the top 100-200 people: The final 100-200 people they’re left with will typically have their cover letters read (if they are shorter than 2-3 brief paragraphs), and they’ll have their reels and/or websites checked. At this point, the casting director wants to ensure that the actors they’re going to audition meet certain criteria, such as being highly talented and having a brand that fits the character they’re auditioning for.
6. Invite the top 50-100 actors to submit a self-tape: They'll now ask the actors to send footage in that will give them an idea of whether the actor is qualified to come in for an actual audition. After watching these self-tapes, the top contenders are invited to fill in the remaining 10-20 audition slots.

​
​Who are the top Netflix casting directors?

Some of the top casting directors for Netflix include:

• David Rapaport
• Lyndsey Baldasare
• Elizabeth Barnes
• Jennifer Euston
• Barbara Fiorentino
• Allison Jones
• Amber Horn
• Lara Mayfield
• ​Julie Schubert​

Want to connect with these casting directors and have them start inviting you to auditions most other actors don't even hear about?

Download my free step by step guide: 3 Strategies to Get Casting Directors to Invite You to Netflix Auditions (includes word-for-word email templates and a tutorial on how to become friends with any Netflix casting director – even if you've never met).

​How to Audition for Netflix as a Kid?

Most of the information in this article still applies, except you have one major benefit going for you: Most casting directors don't expect your resume to have many credits. They also don't expect you to have much footage.

This means it's typically easier to get auditions for Netflix as a 12 or 13 year old (or younger). Once you start getting older than that, it becomes slowly more and more difficult.

---

​Further Reading:

If you enjoyed this article about how to audition for Netflix, you might be interested in some of these:​
​

• How to Become an Actor: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Find Auditions: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Prepare for an Audition: The Ultimate Guide
• ​Commercial Headshots vs. Legit Headshots
• Actor Unions: The Ultimate Guide