Period TV drama is undoubtedly on the rise, however, casting extras who are the ideal size and look for Tudor Britain, Ancient Greece or 16th Century Italy is no easy gig.
The demands on the extras agency have grown wide and varied as Period Drama competes hard with film on budget, scale and authenticity.
Mad Dog 2020 are at the forefront of the extras casting business and are proud to have worked on many Period Drama TV series, from Wolf Hall and This is England ’90 to Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.
If you are looking for extras for a Biblical Epic, Greek Tragedy or Tudor Drama, or if you are searching for the perfect Caribbean Pirate or Louis XIV courtier, Mad Dog 2020 have an artist for you.
Read our top tips to consider when casting extras for Period Drama.
- Traditionally, artists with dyed hair, tattoos and piercings would struggle to make it onto the shortlist for a historical production. However, it is important to remember that period drama includes more recent decades, such as the eighties. For this, some of the normal rules may not apply.
- Skinny is an asset when casting extras for Period TV Drama. For Les Miserables, Mad Dog 2020 were tasked with casting peasants who looked positively starving.
- Extras with an honest trade can work perfectly for your Period Drama. For Snow White and the Huntsmen, our Casting Executives were looking for skilled bakers and butchers.
- Artists have hobbies too. We have a selection of artists that can play an obscure, historical instrument, or can dance like a courtier from 17th century France.
Mad Dog 2020 historical credits include The Duchess, Far From the Madding Crowd, Wolf Hall, Snow White and the Huntsmen, A Little Chaos, Our Zoo, Jonathan Strange and Dr. Norrell, Outlander, Atlantis, Pride, This is England ’90, Legend and Da Vinci’s Demons.
As part of our commitment to you, if we don’t already have the ideal extra on our books, our Casting Executives will outsource talented artists to fit your brief, no matter how obscure or challenging.
For assistance with casting extras for Period TV Drama, contact us on 0207 305 5272 or get in touch via our contact page.