The Twelve is back for a third season, blending courtroom drama with character-driven storytelling. Produced by Warner Bros. for Binge and Foxtel, the Aussie series has been critically praised for its fresh take on the legal genre, in which the real drama unfolds not just in the courtroom, but also in the minds of its jurors.
Here’s all you need to know about the series and its casting team before Season 3 drops on 4 August.
JUMP TO
Season 3, titled Cape Rock Killer, returns with a gripping new case and a fresh jury, while also bringing back Sam Neill’s Judge Brett Colby SC. Set in Western Australia’s Margaret River and Perth, the season follows a cold-case murder retrial that hits close to home for the judge himself. As in past seasons, each juror brings their own inner world to the bench: traumas, secrets, biases – all of which colour how they see the trial unfold.
Sam Neill will reprise his role as the commanding Judge Colby, and he will be joined by a new lineup of jurors played by Danielle Cormack (Wentworth), Eryn Jean Norvill (Home and Away), Sarah Peirse (Under the Vines), William Zappa (Population: 11), Ewen Leslie (Prosper), and Phoenix Raei (Apple Cider Vinegar), among others
Behind the camera, writer Sarah Walker continues to shape the narrative, while Madeleine Gottlieb and Emma Jackson helm the season as directors.
Season 3 is being cast by Kirsty McGregor (Colin From Accounts, Bump) and Will Pearce (Fisk, Mix Tape). On what they look for in talent, McGregor keeps it simple. “We are always looking for the right actor, not the best actor,” she told Screen Australia. “You can only play the character the way you would play the character.”
McGregor’s reputation for precision and emotional insight (she was previously an actor herself) is echoed by collaborators. “Kirsty is the consummate casting detective who never gives up to find the right person for the role,” says Jo Porter, managing director at Curio Pictures.
“She also knows what a particular actor is capable of – sometimes even more than they do,” says actor Damon Herriman. “And she knows how to get it out of them.”
The McGregor Casting team uses casting platforms including Casting Networks, Showcast, and Altai every day when searching for talent. Open casting calls are also made available via McGregor Casting’s official channels.
For a major Aussie production like The Twelve, you’ll need a current headshot, CV, and showreel, and be prepared to send in high-quality self-tapes for the early rounds of auditions. If you’re shortlisted, your callback may include workshopping scenes and cold reads from the script.
For more inspiration, check out our bumper guides to becoming an actor in Australia, how to audition for Netflix in Australia, and advice from eight Aussie A-listers on charting paths to success.