Actors are a big part of our everyday lives, and play a big role in our escapism and entertainment, but have you ever thought about who they may be off screen and how they got to be part of our favourite shows and films? Acting takes a lot of talent, determination, creativity and commitment.
We spoke to actors from acting agencies Mad Dog 2020 Casting and Creative Casting to see what being an actor is really like as a profession and if it really is all glitz and glamour. Whether you're looking at going into acting or just curious about what they get up to - there's plenty of inspiring and interesting stories from these lot...
Isobel Godsell
How old are you? I am 22 years old
Where are you from in Wales? Newport, South Wales
How and why did you go into acting? I went into acting through my local dance school, and then later on went to acting school. I went into acting as I loved being able to entertain people and having the ability to take peoples' minds off whatever hardships they may face that day to transport them into an entirely new world!
How long have you been acting for? I did my first professional acting role at 17 on ‘WILL’ with Mad Dog, playing the part of an upper class girl watching a play. Getting roles for jobs is always fun but the process is difficult. I audition either face to face with a panel or via self tape, from agencies such as Mad Dog!" To get the latest WalesOnline newsletters emailed to you directly for free click here.
What types of clients have you worked for?
I have worked for many different companies such as Netflix, BBC, Channel 4 and ITV to name a few ! My favourite shows I have been on so far have to be playing the part of a popular girl on Netflix’s Sex Education in all three seasons, and playing young Fanny on The Pursuit of Love with Lily James. I also loved acting on ‘In my skin’ which is a Welsh drama, playing the part of a student at the school.
What do you like or don't like about the job?
I love my job as as an actor but the long days are often difficult, especially when it’s winter and we are filming outside! I always love being with other actors on jobs, but I also adore being challenged by directors who inspire me to push myself both as an actor and as a creative to broaden my skills, goals and performances. Being an actor has also been great for my mental health, as it has allowed me to escape from my own head as I have to focus on the scenes or play I am doing that day.
It especially helped me when I lost my mum to cancer early last year when I was mid-way filming on Season 3 of Sex Education. Being on set helped me in more ways than I can describe, the people you meet truly become like family!"
Alisha Gough
How old are you? I’m in my 30s
Where are you from in Wales? Cardiff
How and why did you go into acting? When I moved to Cardiff from London a few years ago, a few of my friends living here were supporting artistes to just make some extra cash, in 2020 I finally joined a couple of agencies myself.
How long have you been acting for? A little under two years as a background artist but I've been presenting and doing lecture style videos for over a decade.
What process do you go through for jobs? Do you audition for a lot of roles and how do you get them? If I see a role advertised I fit for, I check my calendar, make sure I'm free those days, make sure it's somewhere I can reach via public transport as I don't drive, and put myself forward. Having updated photos helps, some roles will ask for a current picture that features certain details of my looks (like the back of my head to show my haircut at times). I personally prefer being a wallflower, so I don't put myself much forward for anything more than background roles.
What types of clients have you worked for? I have been working mostly on TV series. My highlight was being an SA on what will be the anniversary episode of Doctor Who later this year (100th BBC anniversary). My wife grew up watching Doctor Who and be part of an episode made me feel like I could somehow be part of her childhood."
What do you like and don't like about the job? I actually like the lack of pressure. I used to work in a very hectic office environment, the pressure damaged my mental health, I was constantly self-doubting myself. Being an SA, I love being part of something that will be seen and impact and entertain a lot of people but without the same kind of pressure. I just have to be present and listen to the crew for what is requested of me. A day on set I will usually have a lot of waiting time and that gives me good reading time, those days are what feels like personal growth and is something I'm very grateful to be able to experience still in life, without the anxiety of 'but am I being good enough'?.
If I'm actually not doing well, the AD will come and tell me what else they need for me. It's more organic and collaborative than any desk job I ever had and it's better for it. In a few productions I've noticed more and more interest in different bodies like mine and marginalised identities. Being a fat, queer, mixed race woman I have never quite seen someone like me in media, so even just being a wallflower in the background I like the idea of being part of a change bringing representation in the media. The only downside sometimes are very early call times a few days in a row can make you a bit sleep deprived. But it's a good trade off.
Alex Tannahill
How old are you? I am 26 years old.
Where are you from? Originally born and raised in Pembrokeshire but now living in Cardiff
Why and how did you get into acting? I got into acting straight out of secondary school, I went into performing arts not really knowing if it was for me but not being the most academic pupil at the time stepping into a world where I was suddenly being praised for my work and recognised as one of the star pupils for the first time really sold it for me, acting was actually something I was good at! The reason I continue acting to this day is because we live in a very difficult and complicated time, the stress levels within workplaces and family life are very high and its inherently impacting people's mental health.
I can't offer the heroic acts of nurses, doctors or paramedics across the country do on a daily basis nor can I walk into a burning building to save someone in distress as the emergency services do with not a second thought. But what I can do is make those people laugh by acting silly in a show or navigating my way through a funny situation on film.
Actors provide a service that sometimes goes under the radar. We provide breaks from the stresses of everyday life; we are both the butt of the joke and the punch line, and we don’t mind in the slightest. Some people may be experiencing the difficulties of grief so if someone can contact on a personal level with a character’s story I’m portraying and can use that as a catharsis with which they find tomorrow easier… Why would I not want to provide that service? I act to make people feel, laugh and become closer together. It’s the service I was put here to provide ( In my opinion ).
How long have you been acting? I have been acting professionally since 2012 so a decade and counting.
What is your process for finding work? So, I have worked both with an agent and self-representing. I find both to have their positives and negatives. However, the usual set up involves waking up early in the morning checking through emails of previous applications.
After that it will be upstairs to the quietest room in the house where the usual self-tape set up is waiting. Record any self-tapes that have been requested from the previous week and send them off. Then work on writing my own work. This loops daily.
What types of clients have you worked for? I have worked for varying levels of clients from small theatre companies to international theatres in China as well as small independent movie directors to more well-known companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime. I have had speaking roles in Netflix shows Such as Sex Education and the Bad Sport documentary. My most recent feature film is the lead role in the Starks Films upcoming comedy S.T.I.F.F: The Movie.
What do you love and what do you not love about the industry? There are countless things I love about the industry I am in for example; you will meet some of the most incredible people throughout your career. The most challenging aspect however is that I think some people forget that the job of an actor isn’t to act… the job of an actor is to find opportunities to act and keep resilient in the face of rejection (the acting part is a perk of the job)."
Maria Jordan Lewis
How old are you? Age 68...
Where are you from in Wales? I was born in Merthyr Tydfil
How and why did you go into acting? My career started with singing alongside my guitarist husband around the clubs in the UK which I did from the age of 18, in those days you needed an Equity card and as we had one it seemed to be a natural progression to go into supporting artiste and acting work.
What process do you go through for jobs? Agents send me a shout-out when a part comes up and I apply, if successful then have an audition. In 2003 I was chosen to play the part of Lesley Gilly on HTV's Nuts and Bolts, alongside Eve Miles in her first main part. In 2003 I went on Extreme Makeover UK and had a lower face lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck and laser eye surgery...think I need it done again now lol.
What do you like or don't like about the job? I t's the perfect job for me as I love meeting people and hearing about their lives. I do feel challenged but that's what acting is all about, without that it wouldn't be worth doing...Acting is a big part of my life...and I LOVE IT.
Claudine Whyte
How old are you? I'm in my forties
Where are you from in Wales? I'm from Cardiff
How and why did you go into acting? I got into acting because friends of mine kept telling me I would be good on television and that I should join an agency. A friend then filled out a form for an agency and told me I had joined. Within days I was asked my availability to be a featured part on Casualty as a reporter.
How long have you been acting for? I have been an actress/supporting artist for about nine years now.
What process do you go through for jobs? Do you audition for a lot of roles and how do you get them? In order to find jobs I am a member of multiple agencies and I also seek them myself. I have at times been recommended by people I have already worked with. Also contacted direct or via various social media platforms. I audition a fair bit but whether I get those roles is another thing. It's a very competitive industry.
What types of clients have you worked for? I have worked with multiple clients throughout the years in TV, film and commercials. Popular shows I've been involved with to name a few are Casualty, Doctor Who, Sherlock, Pobol Y Cwm, Tourist Trap, In My Skin and Sex Education. I have a huge list of shows I've been on.
Adverts include Moonpig, Funky Pigeon, Celtic Manor, Transport for Wales, Glasses Direct, Visit Wales, Rugby for the Euro. My favourite has to be the Eastenders Billboard campaign, as it was seen all over the UK.
What do you like and don't like about the job? There is a lot to like about this industry but also a lot to dislike. You have to have thick skin and try not to take things too personally, but equally be vocal enough when things are not right. This is an industry where you can meet a lot of people. Some people I have met are now my closest friends. I like the way every day is different. You get to wear different costumes and become a different character. I also like the knowledge you can gain, there is so much to learn behind the scenes. Making connections and being booked because of your talent. Seeing it all put together when it comes on TV is always a joy.
[The negatives include] being booked or pencilled for jobs and getting released at the last minute, when you could've done a different job. After the job is complete you may wait weeks/months to be paid (nature of the job). Some agencies don't work hard enough to find or offer you work. Really long days, sometimes early shoots sometimes nights. You have to be prepared to wait around for hours in between scenes. There is a massive hierarchy system in place. Sometimes you encounter some of the rudest people you'll ever meet, especially when doing supporting artist work.
I've heard people being talked down to, treated with total disrespect or even being ignored. You may not even get a thank you if you hold a door open for someone considered above you. Depending on the mood of the producer or director can have an effect on how the day is run. Sometimes not very good. All that being said I really enjoy the industry. There are a lot of opportunities and it's great that productions choose Wales as their location to film some fantastic series, films and commercials.
Jasmin Owen
How old are you? I'm 29
Where are you from in Wales? Carmarthen
How long have you been acting for? I have loved acting for as long as I can remember. The ability to play dress up for a living, who wouldn’t want to be an actor? I started doing acting in Carmarthen youth opera at the age of 11. I loved getting to play different characters.
What process do you go through for jobs? Do you audition for a lot of roles and how do you get them? Usually auditions. If it's background stuff you usually don’t need to audition it's based solely on if you fit the description of what they’re looking for.
What types of clients have you worked for? Have you taken part in any popular shows or adverts? I have worked as an entertainer for Bluestone holiday park, performed in shows in China, worked on some films, including Six Minutes to Midnight with Judy Dench, and my most recent work was for Transport for Wales.
What do you like/don't like about the job? I love most things about the job, mainly how every job is different and there’s no day that’s the same. What I don’t like is the uncertainty of not having a job, but that’s all part of the excitement!
Conor Donovan
How old are you? I am 24 years old.
Where are you from in Wales? Newport, south Wales
How and why did you go into acting? "I always loved performing from a young age - starting in musical theatre amateur groups I found my love for acting. I was always interested in that part the most."
How long have you been acting for? Since I was 16, I am now 24.
What process do you go through for jobs? It depends on the job - normally via my agent. I haven’t actually auditioned for a lot of professional roles; I am currently in drama school completing a BA in Acting which is my main focus at present. Actor training is incredibly important to me.
What types of clients have you worked for? Have you taken part in any popular shows or adverts? I have been lucky to work with a a few various clients however, my favourite job has been working on Netflix’s Sex Education. Truly the best, most exceptional experience.
What do you like/don't like about the job? I love the job, it’s always a challenge and that’s why I like it. No two days are the same, which always keeps me on my toes. When becoming a character, living in their world with their given circumstances is always the thing that peaks my interest the most - acting truly is about the exploration of human experience. I always feel very honoured to be able to tell someone's story whether that be real or fictional.
The hardest part is that it can be very taxing, however, that’s what makes it so worth it in the end - it wouldn’t be as enjoyable if it was easy.
Sandra Jones
How old are you? I’m 60 years old
Where are you from in Wales? I live in Pontardawe near Neath.
How and why did you go into acting? I got involved in SA work in January 2021. After spending so much time at home and deprived of my regular holidays abroad I decided to sign up with Creative Casting on the recommendation of my friend David Ian Sterl. I was lucky enough to get a part in the recent film Save The Cinema, it was my first foray into acting and I totally got the acting bug. I’ve been doing it for over a year now and I absolutely love it.
What process do you go through for jobs? With regard applying for jobs, it’s only Creative Casting I use. They place job opportunities on Facebook or WhatsApp. If the role fits my sizes etc and the dates suit, I put myself forward for it.
What types of clients have you worked for? I’ve been lucky enough to work on Sky’s production Last Train to Christmas, also Netflix’s Havoc. Also, I’ve done a few BBC productions like Casualty and Hidden.
What do you like or don't like about the job? I have thoroughly enjoyed every production I have worked on, apart from the early starts. The people I have met have become friends and we stay in touch regularly. Being a widow it has truly enriched my life. I look forward to many more opportunities that will come my way.
Ruby Atlanta Seymour Boland
How old are you? I am 27 years old
Where are you from in Wales? Born and bred in Penarth just outside of Cardiff
How and why did you go into acting? I started off in stage school at a very young age! Went through my singing grades and then went on to study Performing Arts in College.
What types of clients have you worked for? I am constantly on the lookout for auditions and new role opportunities! My most recent and exciting featured role was as a drama student in Sex Education Season on Netflix!!
What do you like or don't like about the job? I love everything about the job apart from cold outdoor night shoots. It can be tiresome when you have a week full of long filming days and especially when there’s a bit of travelling to and from set involved... but I always remember that the crew have even longer days that us! I love what I do, and I’m so thankful so have such a great agent."
