At least 10,000 people submitted applications to qualify for the CBS Drama Diversity Casting Initiative. Of the submission, 450 were called in and 12 actors were selected for the CBS project. The overall goal of the initiative is to reach out and grant opportunities for previously overlooked and underrepresented groups including African American, Asian American, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, LBGT actors and actors with disabilities.
According to Glenn Geller, President of CBS Entertainment, “The response to this initiative was incredible and we look forward to working with these talented actors from across the country on their respective screen tests.”
The talent search would not have been possible without the help of the CBS Diversity Institute, a program that identifies and promotes diversity and inclusion within writing, directing and talent communities. On January 12, 2017, CBS will host its 12th annual Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase.
The 12 actors included in the CBS Drama Diversity Casting Initiative are listed below:
- Alexa Adderley, Austin, TX
- Noel Braham, Marietta, GA
- Regina Chen, Houston, TX
- Ivan Ellis, Lansing, IL
- Anna Enger, Canton, GA
- Joe Gallegos, Jr., Albuquerque, NM
- Isabella Star LaBlanc, St. Paul, MN
- Kiki Layne, Chicago, IL
- Eric Lynch, Chicago, IL
- Ana Daniela Osorio, Miami, FL
- Nican Robinson, Oakland, CA
- Dominique Worsley, Chicago, IL.
-Ray Hayes