Microdrama
By the Time She Knew
Details
Union:
Non union
Area of media:
Microdrama
Network:
Joyreels
Paid?:
Yes
Rates:
$200-500 + OT depending on the role, lead rate negotiable for actors with previous viral vertical show experience. Out of province actors will only be considered for lead roles. For all out of the province actors: Round trip flights - economy; Ground transportation from/to the airport, accommodation from/to set; hotel accommodation; Per diem CAD $50.00 per day. However, if the production covers meal expenses, the per diem may be reduced as follows: Breakfast: $10; Lunch: $15; Dinner: $25.00.
Deadline:
Jan 16, 2026
Shooting starts:
Jan 29, 2026 
Shooting finishes:
Feb 6, 2026 
Shooting locations:
Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada
Cities for response:
Vancouver, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Winnipeg, Seattle
Storyline
Caleb Rowan grew up an orphan and was taken in by Victor Redwick, the founding chairman of Redwick Group, a powerful multinational corporation. Intelligent, disciplined, and relentlessly driven, Caleb rises purely on merit, eventually becoming a nationally recognized Gold Medal Award recipient from the Department of Commerce, earning the attention of political and business elites.

Just as Caleb prepares to fully launch his career, Victor suddenly falls critically ill. Leveraging gratitude and obligation, Victor pressures Caleb into marrying his daughter, Eliza Redwick.

Caleb has harbored feelings for Eliza since they were young. Believing patience and devotion can eventually move her heart, he agrees to the marriage and proposes a three-year agreement.

What Caleb doesn’t realize is that Eliza has never let go of her first love, Miles Keaton, her emotional "one who got away." Out of guilt and lingering attachment, she repeatedly shields Miles and takes his side, hurting Caleb again and again.

Through repeated humiliation and emotional neglect, Caleb gradually loses hope. He chooses divorce and walks away from the Redwick family, only to reconnect with Lydia Kingswell, a woman who has quietly loved him for years. Their relationship develops quickly and sincerely.

To Eliza, however, everything Caleb does feels like a calculated mind game meant to provoke her jealousy.

When Eliza escalates her provocations, Caleb finally draws a line. He withdraws the business deals he personally secured for Redwick Group over the years and exposes Miles' fabricated résumé and criminal past.

Only then does Eliza learn the truth and collapse into regret. But by then, Caleb has already entered a new marriage with Lydia.
Roles
Role typeRoleGender & Age range
LeadCaleb RowanMale 25 - 30 Years old
Description
A deeply complex individual who often appears calm, composed, and even detached, especially in public or under pressure. Beneath this surface lies a current of internal conflict, tension, and concern, capable of moments of deep resignation or quiet caution. He can be polite and restrained, but also fiercely protective and resolute when necessary. There are glimpses of hope and an unburdened lightness, contrasting with a more distant or unreadable demeanor, suggesting a past or inner world he keeps guarded.
Role typeRoleGender & Age range
LeadElizaFemale 23 - 26 Years old
Description
Eliza is a deeply complex character, often presenting as distant, disengaged, and detached, yet prone to intense internal turmoil.
She navigates between states of calm, resignation, and profound shock or distress. An underlying defensiveness, bitterness, and a
tendency to be lost in thought or daze are characteristic, frequently punctuated by sharp anger, agitation, and frantic urgency. She is
resilient but clearly burdened by past experiences and present pressures.

Required Emotional Range:
The actor must portray a broad emotional spectrum, encompassing profound detachment, calm disengagement, and absent-mindedness, alongside sudden, explosive anger, sharp irritation, and frantic anxiety. Key emotions include deep shock,
Role typeRoleGender & Age range
Supporting LeadMiles Keaton Male 25 - 30 Years old
Description
Miles is driven by a need for control and a deep-seated pride that makes him vulnerable to humiliation. He possesses a strategic mind, capable of quick deception and maintaining a composed facade even when panicked. Beneath an often smug and arrogant exterior, there is an underlying anxiety and a capacity for intense, simmering rage, particularly when confronted with past events or perceived threats. He can be self-righteous and enjoys being the center of attention, but also struggles with authenticity, sometimes forcing awkward smiles or feigning innocence. He is well-connected and resourceful, but his past seems to haunt him, leading to moments of stiffening tension and choked words.
Role typeRoleGender & Age range
SupportingLydiaFemale 23 - 26 Years old
Description
Tara is a calm, composed, and self-controlled individual, often exhibiting heavy restraint. She is practical, organized, and possesses a nurturing, supportive nature. She carries a significant and steady presence, often serving as a quiet anchor or source of guidance.
Role typeRoleGender & Age range
PrincipalVictor Redwick Male 50 - 55 Years old
Description
His current state is defined by profound frailty and a constant, visible struggle for breath. There is an underlying sense of a past gentle nature, contrasting sharply with his present physical decline.
Role typeRoleGender & Age range
PrincipalMarianne Marston Female 45 - 50 Years old
Description
Eliza Redwick's biological mother. Carries a deep-seated anxiety often masked by a cold, unforgiving demeanor. Her inner world suggests a history of privilege and potential emotional rigidity.