Spotlight: Still the Industry Standard? Understanding the Power (and Pitfalls) of the UK’s Biggest Casting Platform

For decades, Spotlight has been considered the gold standard for professional actors in the UK. If you're serious about working in TV, film, theatre, or commercials, chances are you've been told that “you need to be on Spotlight.” And for good reason: it’s the most widely used casting platform in the UK, trusted by casting directors and production companies alike.

But in recent years, the landscape has shifted, and not necessarily in favour of the working actor.

Let’s take a closer look at what Spotlight is, why it matters, and why more and more actors and industry bodies are beginning to question whether it's still serving us as well as it once did.

What Is Spotlight and Why Does It Matter?

Spotlight is the UK’s longest-standing casting platform, connecting performers with casting professionals and agents across all areas of the industry. Founded in 1927, it was once a printed directory, think Yellow Pages for actors. Now, it’s a vast online system housing headshots, CVs, showreels, voice clips, and self-tapes.

Casting directors use Spotlight to post breakdowns, shortlist talent, and contact agents. For actors, it’s traditionally been the central hub for finding legitimate acting work. A Spotlight profile used to be a mark of professionalism, and in many ways, it still is. Some agents and productions won’t even consider performers who aren’t on Spotlight (99% of UK projects in theatre, TV, and film are cast through them).

The Power of Spotlight and the Problem

In 2020, Spotlight was acquired by U.S.-based media giant Talent Systems, which also owns several other casting platforms globally. Not long after the acquisition, significant changes began to unfold.

One of the most notable was a change to Spotlight’s entry requirements. Historically, actors needed a certain level of formal training or professional credits to join. These gatekeeping mechanisms helped to ensure that Spotlight remained a professional platform and not just another “upload your selfie and be discovered” site.

But after ownership changed, those barriers were lowered to hit financial targets. The result? The number of actors on Spotlight ballooned from around 60,000 to over 90,000 (at the last count).

On the surface, more actors might sound like a win for inclusion. But in practice, it’s created real problems, especially for unrepresented actors.

Overcrowding and Agent-Only Breakdowns

The influx of performers has overwhelmed the system. Casting directors now face thousands of submissions per role. To cope, many have reverted to only opening roles to agents or to those with direct industry contacts. This means that unrepresented actors are seeing fewer opportunities, despite paying the same annual fee. Now, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to book work through the platform unless you already have representation. And for those actors, particularly emerging or returning performers without agents, this shift has quietly, but drastically, reduced Spotlight’s value as a job-hunting tool.

Equity’s Challenge to Spotlight

This hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, Equity, the UK trade union for performers, issued a public challenge to Spotlight, raising serious concerns about its operations under new ownership.

You can read Equity’s full statement and FAQ here: Equity’s Spotlight Update.

Equity has been vocal about the need to create a system that doesn’t take advantage of performers (a tax on hope!). They believe Spotlight’s subscriptions charged to its members are above what the law reasonably allows.

So, Should You Still Join Spotlight?

If you’re pursuing a professional acting career, especially in screen or commercial work, the honest answer is still yes. Many casting directors do not look outside Spotlight. And if you’re represented, your agent will likely be using the platform on your behalf.

But it’s important to go in with your eyes open.

For unrepresented actors, Spotlight is no longer a level playing field or a ticket to seeing more established and high quality paid roles. This means you'll need to treat it as one part of your career strategy, not the whole picture.

Network. Train. Connect. Get seen elsewhere. Build relationships with casting professionals. And if you’re not represented or have limited funds, consider whether the annual Spotlight fee aligns with what you're actually getting from it or if your focus would be better spent outside the platform. You might want to wait until you have built your profile, experience and skills and are ready to stand out in a sea of 90,000 performers, before you commit to a subscription.