Mandy UK
A versatile UK casting platform for film, TV, and creative roles
Overview
Mandy is a well-known UK-based casting and crew platform that connects actors with casting opportunities across film, television, commercials, and theatre. It caters to both professionals and newcomers looking to build experience.
Free accounts can browse and apply to select castings, while premium memberships unlock full access to all listings and enhanced profile visibility. The platform also serves crew members and other production roles.
How It Works
Mandy is widely used by independent filmmakers, student productions, and smaller production companies, making it a solid option for actors building their initial credits. Professional castings are also posted regularly.
The free tier offers limited submissions, while premium plans start at around £9.99 per month. Premium members get unlimited applications, priority placement, and access to all casting calls.
Who Uses It
Mandy is a useful supplement to Spotlight for UK actors, particularly those seeking independent and short film work. It is an especially good starting point for newer actors who have not yet qualified for Spotlight membership. The platform's broad scope means actors can find everything from student film roles to paid commercial work in a single place. Mandy has also expanded its international reach, with listings appearing from European and North American productions seeking UK-based talent.
Pricing & Plans
Mandy offers a free basic tier that allows actors to create a profile and apply to a limited number of casting calls each month. The Premium membership costs £9.99 per month or approximately £84 per year when paid annually, which unlocks unlimited applications and priority placement in casting director searches. Compared to Spotlight's £158 annual fee, Mandy is significantly cheaper and does not require professional credentials to join. The free tier is genuinely functional for actors who are selective about their submissions, though the application cap can be frustrating during busy casting periods. There is no per-submission fee model like Actors Access uses in the US, so premium members can apply to as many roles as they wish. For actors testing the waters, the monthly payment option allows flexibility without a long-term commitment. The pricing makes Mandy one of the most accessible professional casting platforms in the UK market.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Mandy is accessible to actors at all experience levels, with no gatekeeping requirements for registration, making it an ideal entry point for newcomers to the industry. The platform hosts a genuinely diverse range of castings, from low-budget independent films to well-funded commercial productions and corporate videos. Premium members benefit from enhanced profile visibility, which means their profiles appear higher in casting director search results. The crew section of Mandy allows actors to connect with filmmakers, directors, and producers who are building their own projects, creating networking opportunities beyond traditional casting. The platform's search interface is modern and intuitive, allowing actors to filter opportunities by location, pay type, and production category. Mandy's verification system helps flag suspicious listings, providing a degree of protection against casting scams.
What Could Be Better
The quality of casting calls on Mandy varies widely, with many unpaid and low-budget opportunities mixed in alongside professional paid work, which can make filtering worthwhile roles time-consuming. Free tier limitations on monthly applications mean actors must be strategic about which castings they pursue, potentially missing time-sensitive opportunities. Mandy does not carry the same industry prestige as Spotlight, so professional casting directors for major productions may not use it as their primary platform. The sheer volume of applicants for popular castings can be overwhelming, with some roles receiving hundreds of submissions, reducing individual visibility. There is no integrated self-tape submission system comparable to what platforms like Actors Access offer, requiring actors to use external hosting for video auditions. Some actors report that the notification system can be unreliable, with casting alerts sometimes arriving late or being filtered into spam folders.
Our Recommendation
We recommend Mandy as a primary platform for newer UK actors who are building their credits and do not yet qualify for Spotlight membership. For established professionals, Mandy works best as a supplement to Spotlight, particularly for finding commercial, voiceover, and independent film work that may not appear on more exclusive platforms. Actors who are selective and strategic with their applications can make effective use of the free tier, though premium membership is worthwhile for anyone actively auditioning. If you are based outside London, Mandy is especially valuable because it lists regional castings that Spotlight may not cover as thoroughly. Actors who exclusively seek high-end theatre, BBC, or ITV work may find Mandy less relevant to their needs. For the price, Mandy offers excellent value as part of a multi-platform casting strategy.
Pro Tips
Create the most detailed profile possible, including multiple headshots showing different looks, since casting directors often browse profiles rather than just reviewing applications. Set up email alerts for specific casting categories so you are notified immediately when relevant roles are posted, giving you a time advantage over other applicants. When applying to unpaid or low-budget roles, research the production team to ensure the project is legitimate and worth your time investment. Use Mandy's crew section to network with emerging directors and producers, as these relationships often lead to future paid opportunities as their careers develop. If you are on the free tier, save your limited applications for roles that genuinely match your type and experience rather than applying broadly. Write personalized cover notes with each application rather than using a generic message, as this significantly increases your response rate from casting directors.