The CDG Casting Awards 2025
In partnership with EON Productions
In partnership with EON Productions
The Casting Directors’ Guild are delighted to announce the winners for the 2025 CDG Casting Awards, in partnership with EON Productions. Now in its seventh year, the CDG Casting awards celebrate the incredible work achieved by casting teams across Film, Television, Theatre, Commercials and Games.
The awards were hosted by Sue Perkins alongside presenters Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell, Barbara Broccoli, Bronwyn James, Cormac McAlinden (winner of the CDG bursary), Daisy Ridley, Eddie Marsan, Indhu Rubasingham, Jack Lowden, Jack Wolfe, Joanna Scanlan, Kadiff Kirwan, Katherine Parkinson, Lennie James, Lorraine Ashbourne, Nick Mohammed, Rosalind Eleazar, Stephen Merchant and Tim McInnerny.
“We were thrilled to celebrate the seventh edition of our CDG Awards this year, honouring the remarkable achievements of our members. Congratulations to the recipients of the ten esteemed casting awards, and to all our incredible nominees. A heartfelt thank you to our Sponsors and Supporters – we are immensely grateful for your generosity and support, without which this evening would not have been possible.“
Nadine Rennie and Jessica Ronane Co-Chairs
WINNER: Oliver! – Verity Naughton, Kat Edmonds (Children’s Casting Associate)
Blitz – Nina Gold, Lucy Amos (Associate)
Lost Boys & Fairies – Lauren Evans, Melissa Wilkins (Associate)
Matilda the Musical – Amy Beadel for Jessica Ronane Casting (Childrens Casting)
Renegade Nell – Lauren Evans, Melissa Wilkins (Associate)
Wicked Little Letters – Jina Jay
WINNER: Stingy Ol’ Fella – Verity Naughton
E45 ‘This Is My Space’ – Sue Odell
Guiness 0.0 x The Premier League: ‘Eriskay Island’ – Claire Catterson
Lloyds “The Best Grandparents” – Brendan McNamara
The Little Girl – Sky Cinema Christmas Advert 2024 – Sarah Crowe, Ben Marks (Associate), Xanthe Spencer-Davidson (Associate)
WINNER: Conclave – Nina Gold, Martin Ware, Sacha Garrett (Associate)
Gladiator II – Kate Rhodes James, Sophie Quinn (Associate), Kat Edmonds (Assistant)
Poor Things – Dixie Chassay, Lucy Jordan (Casting Assistant)
We Live In Time – Fiona Weir, Lilly Mackie (Assistant), Sinéad Donnelly (Assistant)
Wicked Little Letters – Jina Jay
WINNER: The Outrun – Kahleen Crawford
Chuck Chuck Baby – Rebecca Wright
Hard Truths – Nina Gold, Martin Ware (Associate)
Hoard – Heather Basten
Unicorns – Laura Windows
WINNER: Mr Bates vs The Post Office – Jill Trevellick
Baby Reindeer – Nina Gold, Martin Ware, Sacha Garrett (Associate)
Kaos – Kelly Valentine Hendry, Jessica Mescall (Associate)
Lost Boys & Fairies – Lauren Evans, Melissa Wilkins (Associate)
One Day – Rachel Sheridan, Katie Mozumder (Associate)
WINNER: Fiddler on the Roof – Stuart Burt, Peter Noden (Associate)
Hadestown – Jacob Sparrow
Hello Dolly – Pippa Ailion, Natalie Gallacher, Richard Johnston (Associate)
Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder – Annelie Powell
Mean Girls – Natalie Gallacher, Richard Johnston (Associate)
WINNER: Kyoto, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon – Julia Horan
A Chorus Line, Leicester Curve – Olivia Laydon for Jill Green Casting, Kay Magson (Original Curve Casting Director)
Come From Away UK and Ireland Tour – Natalie Gallacher, Richard Johnston (Associate)
Oliver! Chichester Festival Theatre – Felicity French, Paul Wooller, Lily Caisley (Associate), Verity Naughton (Childrens Casting)
The Buddha of Suburbia, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon – Matthew Dewsbury, Charlie Metcalf (Associate)
WINNER: The Hills of California – Amy Ball, Arthur Carrington (Associate), Verity Naughton (Young Person’s Casting Director)
Oedipus – Julia Horan, Lilly Mackie (Assistant)
People, Places and Things – Jessica Ronane, Abby Galvin (Associate)
The Importance of Being Earnest – Alastair Coomer, Chloe Blake (Associate)
Til the Stars Come Down – Alastair Coomer, Chloe Blake (Associate & Childrens Casting)
WINNER: We Might Regret This – Amy Jackson
Big Boys Series 2 – Rachel Sheridan, Katie Mozumder (Associate), Nadira Seecoomar (Taster Pilot Casting Director)
Inside No 9 – Series 9, the final series – Tracey Gillham (CD on Series 1-9)
The Gentlemen – Dan Hubbard, Rory Okey, Ella Holmes (Associate)
We Are Lady Parts Season 2 – Aisha Bywaters, Irene Waireri (Assistant), Tara Ahmed (Assistant)
WINNER: Rivals – Kelly Valentine Hendry, Lilly Hanbury (Associate), Jessica Mescall (Associate)
Say Nothing – Nina Gold, Lucy Amos
Slow Horses S4 – Nina Gold, Melissa Gethin Clarke
The Day of the Jackal – Nina Gold, Martin Ware, Sacha Garrett (Associate)
True Detective: Night Country – Jessica Ronane (UK Casting Director), Abby Galvin (Associate)
We also honoured the legacy of Debbie McWilliams with a Contribution to Casting award which was presented by Barbara Broccoli – a magnificent and moving finale to our awards night.
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Debbie began her career in Casting at the Royal Court Theatre, before moving in to feature films working alongside Mary Selway.
Her first solo credit was Superman 2, and other early credits include An American Werewolf in London, My Beautiful Laundrette, Prick Up Your Ears and Henry V (Kenneth Branagh).
Most notably, Debbie has cast the last 13 films in the James Bond franchise, her first being For Your Eyes Only in 1981. Casting these iconic films has taken her all over the world discovering extraordinary talent. Her knowledge and passion for overseas actors has led to some of the franchises’ most renowned performances, including Mads Mikkelsen in Casino Royale.
Debbie’s other credits include Angels and Demons, Centurion, Borgia for Canal Plus, The Silent Storm, One Child for the BBC, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, The Rhythm Section, Robin Hood, Upgraded and The Amazing Maurice.
She has worked with a diverse range of directors including Derek Jarman, Roman Polanski, Stephen Frears, Anthony Minghella, Sam Mendes, Martin Campbell, Marc Forster and Ron Howard.
Debbie is a member of the Casting Directors Guild, The Academy of Motion Pictures and The International Casting Directors Association.
The CDG would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters
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The nominated productions premiered between the 1st January 2024 and 31st December 2024 and have been selected by members of the Casting Directors’ Guild.
About The CDG: The Casting Directors’ Guild is a professional organisation of Casting Directors in the film, television, theatre, commercials and games communities in the UK and Ireland who have joined together to further their common interests in establishing a recognised standard of professionalism in the industry, enhancing the stature of the profession, providing a free exchange of information and ideas, honouring the achievements of members and standardisation of working practices in the industry. The CDG upholds the highest ethical standards and advocates for the fair treatment of performers in the casting process.
About EON Productions Limited is the UK based production company that has produced the James Bond films since 1962 including Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die. Led by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, EON has produced and executive produced independent film projects including Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Radiator, Nancy, The Rhythm Section, TILL and Blue Road – The Edna O Brien Story. They have also co-produced and co-financed successful theatrical productions, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Once, Othello, The Kid Stays in the Picture, Buena Vista Social Club and The Band’s Visit.