Deadline
The go-to trade publication for breaking entertainment industry news and deal-making coverage
Overview
Deadline is one of the most influential entertainment trade publications, known for breaking news about casting announcements, deal negotiations, box office results, and industry power moves. It is widely read by agents, managers, casting directors, and executives across Hollywood.
The site covers film, television, streaming, awards season, and the business side of entertainment with a speed and depth that makes it essential daily reading for industry professionals. Its reporting on pilot pickups and casting decisions is particularly valuable for actors.
How It Works
For actors, Deadline is an invaluable resource for tracking which projects are in development, which casting directors are attached, and which networks and studios are greenlighting new content. This intelligence helps you understand market trends and identify opportunities.
Deadline's content is free to read with no paywall. The site is ad-supported, and all articles, breaking news, and analysis are accessible without a subscription.
Who Uses It
Make Deadline part of your daily reading routine. Following its coverage of pilot season, casting announcements, and production updates keeps you informed about the opportunities moving through the industry pipeline. Deadline's editorial team includes reporters with deep industry connections who frequently break news before other outlets, making it the first place many agents, managers, and casting directors check each morning. The site's coverage extends beyond Hollywood to include international production news, theater, and the music industry, providing a comprehensive view of the global entertainment landscape. For actors serious about understanding the business side of their profession, Deadline is not optional reading — it is essential daily homework that keeps you informed about the forces shaping your career opportunities.
Pricing & Plans
Deadline's content is entirely free to read with no paywall or subscription requirement. The site is ad-supported and generates revenue through display advertising and sponsored content, but all editorial content — including breaking news, analysis, features, and box office reports — is accessible to everyone. This makes Deadline one of the most valuable free resources available to actors, providing trade-level industry intelligence at no cost. The site also produces video content including interviews, panel discussions, and award-season coverage that is freely available on its website and YouTube channel. Compared to other major trades like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, which have introduced premium subscription tiers for some content, Deadline's commitment to free access ensures that actors at every career stage and income level can stay informed about industry developments.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Deadline's greatest strength is the speed and reliability of its breaking news coverage, which consistently leads the industry in reporting casting announcements, deal closings, pilot pickups, and production start dates. The site's Pilot Season coverage is particularly valuable for television actors, as it tracks every pilot in development from initial script sale through casting, pickup, and series order. Deadline's box office reporting and analysis provides context for understanding which types of projects are commercially successful, which helps actors make strategic career decisions about the genres and formats they pursue. The site's editorial team includes specialist reporters covering specific beats — including film, television, streaming, international, and awards — ensuring deep expertise in each coverage area. Deadline also hosts annual events including its Contenders series, where actors and filmmakers discuss their awards-contending work in panel formats that are available to view online.
What Could Be Better
Deadline's limitations include its focus on the business and deal-making side of entertainment, which means it provides less coverage of craft, performance technique, and the artistic aspects of filmmaking compared to publications like The Hollywood Reporter or IndieWire. The site's breathless pace of coverage can make it feel like an information firehose, and actors who are not accustomed to consuming trade news may find it overwhelming to distinguish between developments that affect their career and those that do not. Deadline's coverage naturally skews toward high-profile projects, major studios, and A-list talent, which means emerging actors and smaller independent projects receive less attention. The site's comment section and social media presence can sometimes feature negative or uninformed commentary that does not reflect professional industry perspectives. Additionally, as part of the Penske Media portfolio (which also owns Variety, IndieWire, and other entertainment outlets), some critics note potential conflicts of interest or homogenization of entertainment media perspectives.
Our Recommendation
Every actor who takes their career seriously should read Deadline daily — the intelligence it provides about casting movements, project development, and industry trends is invaluable for understanding the landscape of opportunities available to you. Focus your reading on the areas most relevant to your career: if you work primarily in television, prioritize the TV section and pilot season coverage; if you are a film actor, focus on the film development and casting news; if you are interested in international work, follow the global section. Pair Deadline with one or two other industry publications to ensure you are getting a well-rounded view of the entertainment business, as no single outlet covers every angle comprehensively. If you find the volume of content overwhelming, sign up for Deadline's email newsletters, which curate the most important stories of the day and deliver them directly to your inbox in a digestible format.
Pro Tips
Set up Deadline's email newsletters and check them first thing every morning as part of your professional routine — treating industry news consumption as essential career homework separates serious actors from those who are just hoping for the best. Follow Deadline's dedicated reporters on social media, as they often share breaking news and commentary on their personal accounts before stories are formally published on the site. During pilot season, check Deadline's pilot tracker daily to monitor which shows are in development, who is being cast, and which projects have been picked up — this intelligence helps you and your representatives identify opportunities early. When you see a casting announcement or project development story that aligns with your type and career goals, share it with your agent or manager immediately as a conversation starter about whether you should be submitted or considered. Use Deadline's coverage to prepare for meetings and auditions by researching the executives, producers, and directors attached to projects you are pursuing — walking into a room with knowledge about who you are meeting and what they have been working on demonstrates professionalism and genuine interest.