Selected open roles for talent

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ERIC

Male - 44 to 52 yrsSupporting Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Eric is engaged to Marley and is a ‘perfect’ catch for her, at least according to her family. When they split, he has a fling with Marley’s bestie Krissy. Marley loves Eric, but she’s not “in love” with him. When she leaves him at the altar, it throws his whole life into disarray. Any ethnicity.

JANICE WALKER

Female - 44 to 49 yrsSupporting Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Marley’s ‘Mix up’. Janice was raised by Jim and Flo, birth daughter to Rose and Peter. Although she’s known about the birth mix-up since she was a teenager and come to terms with it, her life has been far from perfect. She's built a good life selling lakeside homes and has a wonderful relationship with her parents, but still, she can't help but feel like something is missing. Janice is protective of her parents and their decision when the truth comes out. Caucasian. Should be believable to have been switched at birth with Marley, played by Leanne Melissa Bishop.

ROSE CHANSEY

Female - 65 to 80 yrsLarge Principal Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Rose is the matriarch of the family, a dynamic character who appears to be perfect, with her life and family all together. However, we quickly learn that beneath the surface she is unraveling from the family secret she’s been holding onto. She is married to Peter and raised Marley. Caucasian. Should be believable as a possible birth parent of Marley, played by Leanne Melissa Bishop (does not need to be blond hair blue eyes).

PETER CHANSEY

Male - 65 to 80 yrsLarge Principal Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Peter raised Marley and has been married to Rose for forty years. He doesn’t always agree with all of Rose’s tactics, but stands united with her choices. He has a deep love for his family and wants the best for his children. Peter becomes very conflicted when faced with the tough decision of divulging a family secret. Caucasian. Should be believable as a possible birth parent of Marley, played by Leanne Melissa Bishop (does not need to be blond hair blue eyes).

KRISSY

Female - 43 to 48 yrsLarge Principal Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Small town girl, Marley’s bestie and partner in crime. Krissy loves her job at the town’s favorite late night bar and would do anything for Marley. Things get complicated when she has a fling with her old high school boyfriend and Marley’s ex-fiancé Eric. Any ethnicity.

CATHERINE CHANSEY

Female - 46 to 56 yrsLarge Principal Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Marley’s older sister, Rose and Peter’s daughter, and a surprisingly caring businesswoman. She may come off as a snob, but she really just wants the best for Marley. Catherine truly believes that Marley would be happy if she’d just stop ‘trying to be happy and figure everything out’. Caucasian. Should be believable as a possible birth sister of Marley, played by Leanne Melissa Bishop (does not need to be blond hair blue eyes).

JIM WALKER

Male - 60 to 75 yrsLarge Principal Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Owns an art studio with his wife Flo and is Marley’s birth Dad. Very much a hippie spirit, he is conflicted and protective of Flo when Marley seeks them out. Caucasian. Should be believable as a possible birth parent of Marley, played by Leanne Melissa Bishop (does not need to be blond hair blue eyes).

ADELE

Female - 30 to 80 yrsPrincipal Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Adele is a psychic with knowing powers. Although she comes off as a bit kooky, she provides pertinent information to help Marley continue on her journey to find her birth parents. Any ethnicity. Great cameo.

CHARLENE

Female - 30 to 60 yrsPrincipal Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Comes from a very small town, with lots of makeup and perfectly coiffed hair. Charlene works at Child and Family Services. Charlene is the first to confirm to Marley that she is a birth mix up. Any Ethnicity.

JESSICA

Female - 65 to 80 yrsPrincipal Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Devan's pretentious Mom who very much wants Grandchildren. Jessica is shocked when she learns her son is gay, she certainly didn’t raise him this way. She does love her son, and works to accept his life choices. Caucasian.

KEN

Male - 65 to 80 yrsActor Union
Project title
WHAT IF
Media
Feature Film
Due date
Monday July 6, 2026
Submissions from
Halifax
Role description

Devan's conservative Dad who is gearing up for his big retirement. He is very much a ‘yes man’ with his wife wearing the pants. Ken is also shocked when he learns his son is gay. He works to accept his son’s life choices. Caucasian.

Andrew

Male - 35 to 42 yrsLead Non union
Project title
Beside Achilles
Media
Short Film
Due date
Thursday July 16, 2026
Submissions from
Toronto
Role description

A man living with a debilitating but invisible chronic gastrointestinal illness. Reserved, intelligent, and emotionally contained, Andrew navigates the medical system, work, family, and a same-sex relationship while struggling with a condition that others cannot see. The role requires an actor who can believably portray the physical effects of long-term illness. Andrew has a lean build consistent with someone who has experienced some weight loss due to his condition. Andrew is the film's only principal character who never speaks. The audience experiences the film entirely through his observations and reactions, making this a lead performance that relies on subtle, nuanced, non-verbal emotional expression. Some scenes involve working alongside a small-breed dog; physical interaction with the dog is not required. One shoot day will take place at a cottage location outside Toronto.

Sam

Male - 28 to 36 yrsSupporting Non union
Project title
Beside Achilles
Media
Short Film
Due date
Thursday July 16, 2026
Submissions from
Toronto
Role description

A caring and emotionally intelligent partner in a same-sex relationship with Andrew, navigating the strain that chronic illness puts on a long-term relationship. The role requires emotional range, strong screen presence, and the ability to convey vulnerability and heartbreak. While open to all qualified performers, actors of South Asian, Middle Eastern, or other diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to submit.

Doctor #1

Male - 60 to 75 yrsSupporting Non union
Project title
Beside Achilles
Media
Short Film
Due date
Thursday July 16, 2026
Submissions from
Toronto
Role description

A seasoned old-school physician who approaches the protagonist’s concerns with casual reassurance. Convinced that the situation is less serious than the patient believes, he routinely minimizes the symptoms and offers simple explanations for complex problems. While well-intentioned, his inability to recognize the true impact of the illness leaves the protagonist feeling unseen and unheard. Requires warmth, authority, and the ability to convey subtle dismissal beneath a reassuring exterior.

Doctor #2

All - 40 to 60 yrsSupporting Non union
Project title
Beside Achilles
Media
Short Film
Due date
Thursday July 16, 2026
Submissions from
Toronto
Role description

An experienced physician who is abrupt, emotionally detached, and dismissive of the protagonist’s concerns. Focused on symptoms rather than the person, the doctor shows little patience for uncertainty or discussion beyond immediate treatment options. Requires strong authority, confidence, and the ability to convey subtle frustration, indifference, and passive-aggressive dismissal. Actors from diverse cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds are especially encouraged to submit.

Doctor #3

Female - 38 to 50 yrsSupporting Non union
Project title
Beside Achilles
Media
Short Film
Due date
Thursday July 16, 2026
Submissions from
Toronto
Role description

A compassionate and attentive physician who takes the time to listen. Unlike many of the medical professionals the protagonist has encountered, she approaches him with empathy, curiosity, and genuine concern. Requires warmth, authenticity, strong listening skills, and the ability to convey compassion without sentimentality. Actors from diverse cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds are especially encouraged to submit.

Family Member #1

Female - 38 to 45 yrsSmall Principal Non union
Project title
Beside Achilles
Media
Short Film
Due date
Thursday July 16, 2026
Submissions from
Toronto
Role description

A warm and welcoming family member who appears in a family gathering scene. The role includes a brief but meaningful interaction with the protagonist. Seeking an actor who can deliver natural, authentic dialogue and bring warmth, familiarity, and an effortless maternal presence to the scene.

Frank

Male - 35 to 55 yrsSmall Principal Non union
Project title
Beside Achilles
Media
Short Film
Due date
Thursday July 16, 2026
Submissions from
Toronto
Role description

A friendly, approachable coworker who very briefly interacts with the protagonist during a workplace scene. Seeking an actor with a natural, authentic screen presence who can convey warmth and professionalism in a subtle, understated moment. Actors from diverse cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds are especially encouraged to submit.

Office Employees

All - 28 to 65 yrsSmall Principal Non union
Project title
Beside Achilles
Media
Short Film
Due date
Thursday July 16, 2026
Submissions from
Toronto
Role description

Seeking 6 performers to portray office employees in a modern corporate workplace. Roles include natural workplace conversations, light humour, and everyday interactions before a meeting, helping create the authentic atmosphere of a busy office. Performers will deliver brief conversational dialogue and should be comfortable with naturalistic, overlapping performances. Actors from diverse cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds are especially encouraged to submit.