So you’ve decided to swap the sofa for the spotlight. Perhaps you’ve been glued to Love Island, thinking you, too, may like to find love in the sun. Or you watched The Traitors, frustrated that they’re not voting out the right people. Or maybe you’ve got the personality to make the nation fall in love with you on Big Brother.
Whoever you are, getting cast on a reality show can be an incredible springboard. For West End actors like Amber Davies, who found fame on the third series of Love Island, it can be a great way to build a profile. Alison Hammond also got her big break after appearing on the third series of Big Brother in 2002. Nowadays, a stint on a reality TV show basically comes with a dramatically increased Instagram following.
“An appearance on a popular TV show can be the perfect launch pad for popularising yourself or [your] brand,” writes former TV producer Mark Butcher. “Social media can then be used to continue building and engaging with your audience.”
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Reality TV is a pretty broad genre. There’s the chance of love on shows like Love Island and First Dates, all the business bravado of The Apprentice, and strategic physical challenge with shows like Hunted or Race Across the World.
Before you apply, think carefully about the kind of show you’d like to be on. Do you thrive on competition? Do you love teamwork? Are you at your best when you’re letting your personality shine? Your application will be stronger if you find the right show for you.
Every show has its own requirements, but producers across the board tend to search for a few key traits. More often than not, authenticity tops the list.
Producers also look for strong characters: people with opinions, humour, confidence, and heart. “We’re looking for people who are going to surprise us,” Rosie Smith, a casting producer at Twenty Twenty Television, told the Royal Television Society. “Humour is a huge thing.”
And, of course, chemistry and balance matter. On group shows, producers look for a mix of personalities and experiences, and lots of diversity. “Are we getting people of colour, LGBT+ people, and different ages, accents, and social statuses...and, at the same time, not falling into tokenism and putting someone on just for the sake of it?” Jo Somner from Plimsoll Productions told the Royal Television Society. “It’s a massive juggling act.”
“During reality TV auditions, casting producers evaluate potential cast members based on specific qualities and characteristics. These may include charisma, authenticity, unique personalities, and the ability to engage audiences,” according to production house C&I Studios. “The casting team often envisions candidates for particular roles and seeks individuals who can bring an interesting and genuine presence to the show.”
When you apply for reality TV shows, you can usually expect a few stages.
1. The online form. This is where you’ll introduce yourself. Use your own words, not what you think producers want to hear. And remember to show off who you are. “Standing out in that initial application is really key, because that is the front line,” producer Meredith Veats told the CBC.
2. The self-tape. Most shows ask for a self-tape video introducing yourself. This is your moment to show your personality. Record somewhere well lit and quiet. If you’re funny, be funny. If you’re warm, be warm. Think of it like chatting to a new friend. “People think that their videos have to be Oscar-nominated short films or something like that, but it can just be you on your cell phone talking to us,” producer Tanner Sawatzky told the CBC. “That’s all we need.”
3. The interview. If you’re shortlisted, you’ll chat to casting producers in person or via Zoom. You’ll also have to do a camera test. Don’t rehearse every word; they want to get a feel for you, not a polished performance. “You will also need to show them that you can easily forget about the camera,” Butcher says. “If they think you are unable to relax because you are self-conscious about how you are coming across on camera, you will be rejected.”
4. Social media. Lots of casting directors freely admit that they go out actively looking for people to star in their shows. How do they find them? Usually on social media. So remember to check your DMs on Instagram or your Facebook messages, and don’t automatically assume it’s a bot! “Reality TV producers use social media to find potential cast members by leveraging platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to identify individuals with significant followings and compelling life stories,” according to C&I Studios. “Social media serves as a powerful filter based on the scale of the talent’s followers and the appeal of their narratives.”
These teams receive thousands of applications, so if you can find a way to make yours extra special, do it! “It is a matter of being completely comfortable in your own skin,” says reality TV casting producer Heather Muir. “It comes across as authentically you.”
Major networks and production companies regularly post open casting calls for new and returning series. Follow casting directors such as FrankieTVCasting or HenryTCasting, or more specific accounts such as MasterChefUKCasting, on Instagram to be the first to know when shows are looking for talent.
Reality TV casting opportunities are also frequently posted on jobs boards, where you can search by location and genre. Whether you’re keen on dating shows, competition formats, or social-experiment series, you’ll find dozens of open calls year-round.
New formats launch all the time too. If you’re flexible, don’t just aim for the biggest shows. Fresh ones are less likely to be oversubscribed.
Finally, if you’re interested in applying for specific shows, check out our guides to shows such as Love Is Blind: UK and The Great British Bake Off.
Here’s a quick guide before you hit “Send.”
- Check your social media. Use clear photos that show your personality. Keep your bio current and your profile full of personality. Make sure you’d be happy to have your social media under public scrutiny. “Just before you are due to appear on a TV show, you will want to have your entire online profile up to date and in full working order,” Butcher says. “If everything is perfect before going through the TV casting process, you may get rejected for being too media savvy.”
- Read the fine print. Every show has different filming dates, commitments, and confidentiality rules. Make sure you’ve checked them all.
- Apply early. Deadlines can close without warning, so apply early. “Squash your impulse to procrastinate, even if the deadline is months away,” Leah Collins writes for CBC Arts.
- Keep going. Very few people get cast on the first try. Treat each application as practice. “Even if you don’t make it past the written application, there’s value in trying again next year,” Collins writes.
Getting the call to say you’re about to become a reality TV star may be what you’re aiming for, but it’s also just the start. Filming schedules can be long and intense. You may be away from your phone for weeks, surrounded by cameras and new faces 24/7. You’ll need to be prepared to share the messy parts of yourself and accept that the cameras and producers have ultimate control.
You’ve got to have a thick skin, and, even then, the experience may not be what you’re imagining. Lots of ex-reality TV contestants say the experience changed them, but many say it wasn’t how they expected it to be. Despite being a superfan of The Traitors, Jonathan Ross, for example, has admitted to finding his time on The Celebrity Traitors “uncomfortable.” “I am pleased I did it – an extraordinary experience – but I did not enjoy the duplicity as the game progressed,” he told the Independent. “It’s a tougher psychological challenge than I expected.” Even at the final stages, remember to think carefully before you officially sign up for the show.
Applying for reality TV shows in the UK takes guts. You’ll be competing with thousands of hopefuls, but you’ve already got an edge if you know who you are, have a story to tell, and can bring a genuine spark to the screen. So fill out that form and film that self-tape. Who knows where you’ll get from just applying?