Netflix has announced the hiring of a new executive team charged with centralizing and optimizing casting for its original shows. 

Netflix will still allow its high-priced producers to choose what talent appears in their movies and series. And it will still rely on outside casting agencies to fill its onscreen ranks. But the new team will act as a kind of clearinghouse, ensuring that Netflix's diversity and inclusion goals are met, and also making sure that hot talents appearing across the streaming service's global footprint are put to work in the most efficient way. 

"We want to discover new and authentic voices from underrepresented communities, and help our existing talent find their next great opportunity with us," Netflix said in a company blog post published Wednesday. 

The hires include Brittany Grooms, who moves from Sony Pictures Entertainment to handle casting for Netflix original films, and Rich Leist, a former All3Media America casting executive who will now handle Netflix's unscripted programming talent. Both joined the ranks over the spring.

Meanwhile, former CBS casting executive Cesar Rocha, who has overseen talent for Netflix's locally produced non-English-language international shows since 2019, will now ply his knowledge of Netflix's global talent base to oversee casting for domestic original series. 

Finally, on the animation side, Shiondre Austin, a former Nickelodeon executive, will handle voice casting for animated original series; and Cymbre Sklar, an ex DreamWorks Animation operative, will handle casting for animated films. 

"Over the years, some of our talent have been able to seamlessly move across Netflix projects--think Never Have I Ever’s Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who is starring in our upcoming film The Netherfield Girls, and Stranger Things’ Gaten Matarazzo, who hosts and executive produces Prank Encounters," Netflix's blog added. 

"Our new casting department means that we will have more time and resources dedicated to identifying these kinds of opportunities -- finding breakouts like Alejandro Speitzer, who has worked on three of our Mexican local language series, El Club, Dark Desire and Someone Has to Die and Pearl Thusi, who’s gone from our South African series Queen Sono to our upcoming film Wu Assassins: Fists of Vengeance."

Once upon a time, LGBTQ+ representation on television came only sporadically, by way of series like comedies Ellen, Friends and Will & Grace, and dramas like L.A. Law and Queer as Folk. More recently, TV has made huge strides in representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, both in scripted and nonscripted fare, courtesy of a wider array of entries, including dramas Orange is the New Black, Pose, Star Trek: Discovery, Supergirl and Batwoman, and nonscripted RuPaul’s Drag Race and Big Brother. 

But the casting of LGBTQ roles in today’s market is still a sensitive and potentially controversial issue, which was the focus of the Pride TV Summit’s Casting Conversation, moderated by casting director Michael Donovan. 

When is someone’s sexual orientation relevant to playing a gay role? What about gay actors who play straight roles and vice versa? Is there a mandate within the broadcasters and/or via the public for more LGBTQ storylines? More importantly, is the culture changing?

More Openness, Inclusion

“One hundred percent, things are changing in the industry,” said Caroline Dries, showrunner for The CW drama Batwoman. “There is a search for inclusion, and way more openness. And there is an excitement for these roles and a need for representation due to the raised awareness in social media. 

“For me, as the creator and the storyteller, the No. 1 most important thing is that the character is authentic and a good representation of the community,” Dries added.

Debuting in October 2019, gay actress Ruby Rose as Kate Kane (aka Batwoman) made television history as the first openly lesbian superhero on television. After an unexpected exit in season one, bisexual actress Javicia Leslie was cast as Ryan Wilder, the new Batwoman.

“When we were casting Batwoman originally, we ultimately went with an out actor,” noted Dries. “In hindsight, thank God we did cast someone from the LGBTQ community, because of the amount of questions and conversations you are talking about on this subject. If we had cast a straight girl, it would have been a bit clumsy and awkward and probably would have felt inauthentic.

“I was also criticized because the character of Kate Kane was Jewish in the comic books and I did not cast a Jewish actress,” Dries added. “Basically, you just have to choose your battles.”

“Naturally, we cannot ask anyone about their sexuality when we cast a role,” Karen Barroeta, executive VP at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, observed. “Only if the actor or actress is open about it, then you know it. For us, it is very important not to discriminate based on sexuality or in any way.”

Citing straight actors Eric McCormack in Will & Grace, Darren Criss in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Tom Hanks in Philadelphia and Sean Penn in Milk as “performances we would have missed had we not had straight actors in the roles,” Donovan also offered a quick clarification. “That’s not to say a gay actor would not have been as good in those roles also,” he said.

Casting Without Limits

For transgender actress Nicole Maines, who portrays Nia Nal (Dreamer), a transgender superhero, on Supergirl, only auditioning for trans character roles would mean far fewer opportunities. “Trans women are women and we can play women of all types, reinforcing a positive message,” Maines said. “There is an idea of what trans looks like, and when we are able to portray ourselves and tell our own stories you can actually see it. But we should not just be limited to trans roles.”

“The most important thing is getting the stories out and telling the stories well because I think that, above all, changes hearts and minds,” casting director Margery Simkin said during the panel session. “And I hope the goal, in the end, is that anybody can play anything. That’s what acting is. It’s not about being who you are. It’s about who you are able to be through your craft and your ability.”

“Inclusivity is going to continue to grow,” Barroeta predicted. “And there will be a moment when it is all going to become normal and we are never going to have to say inclusive again." 

Lori Openden, executive VP of talent and casting at The CW, will retire this month. Dana Theodoratos, CW senior VP of talent and casting, will lead the department, overseeing casting on all of the network’s series, pilots and original scripted digital programming.

“Under Lori and Dana’s guidance, discovering and showcasing rising new talent has been a hallmark of The CW brand since its inception, providing this network with a proud legacy of launching breakout stars that is second to none,” said Mark Pedowitz, chairman and CEO of The CW. “With her vast experience and so many memorable casts and credits to her name, Lori has left an indelible mark on both this network and this industry, and we cannot thank her enough for all of her contributions. And as everyone here at The CW wishes Lori all of the best, we are extremely pleased to have Dana taking the reins and leading our casting efforts going forward, ensuring The CW’s tradition of assembling dynamic casts and breaking new talent will continue.”

Related: ‘Swamp Thing’ Starts on The CW Oct. 6

Openden and Theodoratos both joined The CW when it launched in 2006, shifting from its predecessor UPN. 

Prior to The CW, Openden was senior VP, talent and casting, UPN, since August 2005. From 1985 to 1999, she was in the casting department of NBC, rising to senior VP. 

Theodoratos was promoted from VP to senior VP, talent and casting, The CW, in 2014.  She had been director of the talent and casting department at UPN. From 1999 to 2002. Theodoratos was the manager of casting at Michael Ovitz’s television studio Artists Television Group.

go90, Verizon’s curated, ad-supported OTT service for millennials, started off as a mobile app when it launched last fall, but has begun to extend a bridge to the TV.

Verizon confirmed that the latest version of go90, version 2.0,  for iOS and Android mobile devices supports video casting to Apple TV boxes as well as the Google Chromecast streaming adapters.

It marks the first time go90 content has been optimized for the big screen. Watchable, Comcast’s similar, ad-supported OTT service, is offered on mobile apps to all-comers and on X1 boxes for its pay TV subscribers.

go90 is also removing some friction with version 2.0, as the app no longer requires users to register in order to watch videos, which can now be viewed via curated “networks” such as Action, Comedy, Drama, and Reality. However, registration is required to use other features such as commenting on content or setting favorites. Additionally, go90 now lets registered users comment on videos while viewing, and has added a simplified way for users to share clips or full episodes from shows and live events via email, text, Facebook or Twitter.

The new app, launched on June 20, introduces “a few new design and navigation enhancements… to help users discover, watch and share content even easier,” the company said, noting that the updates will begin to roll out widely on the platform over the next few days.

The new app could help to drive more usage of go90. Verizon has not announced usage figures for it, but CEO Lowell McAdam acknowledged in May that go90 “did get a little over-hyped,” but added that the company remains bullish about go90’s longer-term prospects.

 “[It’s] one of those things you have to work into, and we’re on pace,” he said at the time. “So, bottom line is Go90 is in a good spot from our perspective we’re going to continue to pursue it, but our expectations are realistic.”

Following reports Monday morning, Comedy Central officially announced that Trevor Noah will succeed Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show.

The little-known 31-year-old South African comedian will take over for Stewart later this year; Comedy Central will announce exactly when at a later date.

“Trevor Noah is an enormous talent. He has an insightful and unique point of view, and most importantly, is wickedly funny,” said Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless. “For the next host of The Daily Show, we set out to find a fresh voice who can speak to our audience with a keen take on the events of the day, and we found that in Trevor. He has a huge international following and is poised to explode here in America, and we are thrilled to have him join Comedy Central.”

Noah, 31, has only made three appearances on the show, having first debuted in December. Noah made his U.S. television debut in 2012 on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and also appeared on CBS's Late ShowWith David Letterman. Noah has hosted numerous television shows including his own late night talk show in South Africa, Tonight With Trevor Noah.

“It’s an honor to follow Jon Stewart. He and the team at The Daily Show have created an incredible show whose impact is felt all over the world,” Noah said. “In my brief time with the show they’ve made me feel so welcome. I’m excited to get started and work with such a fantastic group of people.”

Other potential successors to Stewart included Jason Jones and Samantha Bee, but each is bound for their own project with TBS. Jessica Williams, another young correspondent, had also pulled herself out of the running.