To use the same actors

[MinnieBaldock]

This really, there must be thousand of actors out of work and we see the same ones i-e David Tennant, Oliver Coleman, Helen Mirren, Suzanne Suranne etc. Yes they are all good but give someone else a chance. It's got to the point that If any of the above are in a series or anything, I just won't watch it.

I agree - it's boring to see the same faces all the time.

The problem is many/most films and series are made for streaming by the big US companies, Netflix, Apple etc and they demand well known faces to attract viewers.

Not to mention same old presenters Holly, Davina, Claudia, Ant n Dec etc ….

You won’t watch it but thousands, if not millions, of people watch it because they’re in it - they like the actors, it confers a impression that it must be good because they’re in it.

It’s the same with theatre, particularly in London. The same old plays trotted out time and again, the main allure is the quality / familiarity of the cast.

But many people will watch something BECAUSE it's got X person in it. There's so much out there now with streaming services aplenty that you need something to make a series stand out and be memorable, so the new David Tennant or whatever will stick in my mind but "a series about x theme" probably won't even if it looks interesting. In the end, it's viewing figures.

they sign a deal
unfortunately sometimes it is for itv which churns out some rubbish imo

I read a really mean-spirited interview by Kate Winslet’s sister, in which she bemoaned the fact that ALL her family were actors, but that Kate had been more successful…

You’re (presumably) not a failed actor yourself, OP? IMO those who do well in acting are either to be applauded, or else they’ve got a set of photos they could use against the Casting Director!

Either way, acting is a job that could enable them to make a living, so they need to strike while the iron is hot.

If they are good enough, they get more roles - that’s how it works!

As far as I know the days of studios signing contracts for X number films or series are long gone. They sign up to do a particular thing then it's up to them.

An example of actor driven audience though..I like Matthew Goode so I watched his latest police drama on Netflix. I normally find them tedious and don't bother. I didn't love it, but watched the full series because he was in it.

I agree.
If I never saw David Tenant again it would be too soon.

Well, yes, because someone who gets a huge amount of offers of parts has chosen this one. Something has made them say ‘Yes, I’ll do Much Ado at the Old Vic or this Sunday night Channel 4 drama about murderous vicars or whatever, rather than the Netflix vampire kidnap show.

It’s so tedious … how Olivia Coleman keeps getting work, essentially playing the same character (posh & kooky) is beyond me … Ditto Sheridan Smith (plucky Northerner succeeds despite the odds)… Suranne Jones (reluctant action woman / spy / criminal) …David Tennant (still chasing the Dr Who days)

But I love him and deliberately search out things he is in. He is extraordinarily talented.
It seems I am.not alone.

It works both ways though

i don’t dislike suranne jones but if I see she’s in something I know it’s going to be nonsensical crap

a lot of these actors end up typecast as pp said and if you like the type they get cast in it’s great. And if you don’t, you know to avoid it!

but I do agree that some are overexposed and they’ll often drop off for a little while because of it

David Tennant is not typecast - he has played a broad spectrum of characters. That is why he gets cast.

I agree, I mostly gravitate towards a series or a movie because it has an actor in it I like

I am heartily sick of Olivia Colman and Helen Mirren, give someone else a job.

Couldn’t agree more!

i hate the way the actin world is dominated by just a few names, good though they might be.

The problem is, you think of the actors first - rather than completely believing in the characters. I find myself thinking: ooh, yes, David Tennant is cast against type in this…when really I want to be totally drawn in and suspend my disbelief.

I can't stand David Tennant. I'm really put off anything he's in.

Well I love David Tennant, he was sensational as Des. He's definitely not "chasing his Dr Who days!" Suranne Jones is definitely not typecast. Her characters in Gentleman Jack & Vigil for instance are worlds apart.

Eve Myles on the other hand has been in 4 series recently. I like Sheridan Smith but she seemed to play exactly the same real life character in 4 Lives & I Fought The Law

I do love Alison Hammond but she seems to be on everything these days.

Currently watchkng the new Suranne Jones series(Frauds) and it's fab. Going to follow it with David Tennant in the phone hacking thing. Fortunately there are a million options if you don't like those two actors

Totally agree, there are so many incredibly talented actors out there of whom we see very little. Sick to the back teeth of so many of the ones you name.

The phone hacking thing looks interesting, shame it's Tennant, yet again.

It's Sheridan Smith for me. I just can't bear watching her so have missed out on dramas that would otherwise interest me.

The problem with David tenannt is that he isn’t typecast but he’s always so clearly David tennant. Which wouldn’t be a problem if he didn’t end up getting every role as that just exacerbates it!!

a good character actor makes you forget who they are - and it’s a rare talent tbf

and some actors just lean into it - I won’t watch anything with Jason statham because they are all pretty much identical but DH will pick a movie he’s in when he’s flying because he knows what he’s getting!

"a good character actor makes you forget who they are". Absolutely, that's the problem that I have with some of these people.

With the exception of Sheridan Smith who i love, I find that after watching one episode of these formulaic, predictable "dramas" I usually switch off. I agree with OP we definitely need some new blood rather than the same old 4 or 5 faces all the time