Famed for playing Hayley Cropper - one of Coronation Street's most iconic characters - it looked like actress, Julie Hesmondhalgh was set for life.

Little did she know, however, that one theatre production was set to change EVERYTHING - awakening an actor within her, whom she thought she'd lost...

Nic Phillips has been a TV director for almost 40 years - and in that time he's directed some iconic shows!

Everything from Grange Hill to Casualty, The Bill, Birds Of A Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart, My Family, and EastEnders.

As I type this, Nic is over on the cobbles, directing Coronation...

Is there really such a thing as an 'overnight success'?

In my experience, the answer to that question, is a resounding NO!

Success in the acting industry, or anything worthwhile in life, for that matter, takes A LONG TIME - years, decades, or more.

That's certainly been the case for Hollyoaks...

WOW - what a Q&A this was - with one of the MOST SUCCESSFUL casting directors I've had the pleasure of hosting on Act On This - Victor Jenkins CDG!

Responsible for casting some of the VERY BEST TV drama in existence - Humans, Unforgotten, Broadchurch, Grantchester, The Rook, to name but a few...

It's gives me GREAT pleasure to welcome back an AWESOME friend of Act On This - head of Hollyoaks casting, Peter Hunt CDG!

I wanted to give members the chance to interact with Peter directly, so we opened the floor up for an 'anything goes' Q&A session!

Being one of the most loyal and honest...

When I bumped into BAFTA-nominated writer and creator of BBC One's Poldark, Debbie Horsfield, at a recent readthrough - I just HAD to ask her to take part in a podcast with me.

You see, we hear about casting from a casting director and director's perspective all the time - but NEVER from a...

I met Rachel Shenton, when we were both working on Hollyoaks - many moons ago.

A couple of years back, she started talking to me about a film she wanted to write, about a deaf girl, born into a hearing family.

I thought it sounded like an amazing idea, but we both knew it would require a...

Ladies and gentleman - let me introduce you to one of the most POPULAR TV directors I have EVER met - Mr Mickey Jones!

Over the years, Mickey has directed literally HUNDREDS of episodes of the UK's favourite soaps - including Coronation Street, Emmerdale, EastEnders and Hollyoaks.

I met Mickey...

Known most famously for playing the iconic footman, Thomas Barrow, in Downton Abbey - Rob has come A LONG WAY in the 15 years since I met him at an acting class in Manchester.

I asked Rob to join me at 'On The 7th' in MediaCityUK for a long overdue catch-up and chat about ALL THINGS acting!

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If there is one thing I've learnt from 15 years of working as a professional actor - it's that there is NO substitution for hard work!

This applies to everyone in the acting industry - both in front of and behind the camera.

One of the hardest working directors I have EVER met is Lewis Arnold.

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Andy Pryor CDG is one of the UK's most respected casting directors.

Working in the highest echelons of TV, Andy's track record speaks for itself.

Andy's been responsible for casting more than 120 episodes of Doctor Who - including 5 new doctors, he's recently cast BBC's Undercover, Call The...

Agents eh?

They are a BIG part of the acting industry and a HUGE part of your acting career success... BUT so many actors struggle when it comes to finding great representation.

Those who do find it, often have trouble making the actor/ agent relationship work, some actors feel afraid to even...